DAVAO CITY — Combined government forces killed the alleged mastermind in the February 17 ambush of Lanao del Norte Governor Mamintal Adiong.
In a press statement, Lanao del Sur Provincial Police identified the suspect as Oscar Tacmar Capal Gandawali was killed after he resisted arrest and reportedly put up a fight with the police and military personnel at about 2;14 in the afternoon of on May 3 in Barangay Pilimoknan, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
The press statement said, the aothorities was serving the warrants of arrest docketed under Criminal Case Numbers 9203-2023; 9204-2023; 9205-2023, and 9206-2023 dated March 31, 2023 for Murder all issued by RTC 12 Branch 8, Marawi City; .Criminal Case Numbers ML-436-2019 dated July 26, 2019 for Frustrated Murder and ML-438-2019 dated July 26, 2019 for Murder issued by RTC 12, Branch 9, Marawi City; Criminal Case Numbers ML-442-2019 for Murder and ML-437-2019 for Frustrated MURDER issued by RTC 12, Branch 10, Marawi City against Oscar “Tacmar” Capal Gandawa when the incident happened.
During the firefight, Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Chief Robert Daculan said army trooper SSg Michael Angelo Y Virecio and Barangay Pilimoknan Chairman, Hon. Gamon A. Manonggiring were wounded and immeditely brought to hospital for medical attention.
Authorities recovered from the possessionof Gandawali the following: One (1) caliber .38 Super Pistol, Springfield Armory 1911 with serial number NM119454; Three (3) heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance, one (1) heat sealed transparent plastic sachet, Five (5) heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with an estimated weight of 13.216 grams with Standard Drug Price of Php 89,868.00; Two (2) pieces 9mm magazine assemblies; Three (3) caliber .38 super fired cartridge cases; Three (3) 9mm fired cartridge cases; Three (3) 9mm cartridges; Six (6) 5.56mm fired cartridge cases; One (1) metal fragment; One (1) improvised pistol break open without serial number; Twenty-two (22) pieces cartridges of caliber .22; Seven (7) pieces cartridges of 9mm; One (1) cartridge .38 super; Two (2) AK47 cartridges; One (1) M16 cartridge; Eleven (11) folded aluminum foil; Three (3) improvised glass tooters; and Four (4) glass tubes.
Daculan in a statement claimed that “Gandawali sensed the approaching lawmen and immediately opened fire, hitting Sgt. Virecio in the process and triggered a brief firefight.”
Adiong was ambushed on February 17, 2023 in Maguing town. The incident killed three police bodyguards of Adiong and wounded the governor.
Daculan said the suspect also masterminded the ambush-slaying of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents in Kapai, Lanao del Sur in October 2018.
Gandawali’s group was linked to gun-for-hire operations, gunrunning, robbery, and the proliferation of illegal drugs in Lanao del Sur.
“He (Gandawali) was also tagged as a financier and supporter of the Daesh-inspired local terrorist group,” Daculan said.
Gandawali is listed by the police as the most wanted person in Lanao del Sur and the fourth most-wanted man in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Alson involved in the operations are personnel from 1st PMFC, LDSPPO; PDEU-PSOG, LDSPPO; PIU, LDSPPO; 1403rd RMFC, RMFB 14; 13 SAC, 1 SAB, PNP SAF; CIDG PFU, LDS; PIT LDS; RIU15; PDEA BAR, and 5IB, PA.-Editha Z. Caduaya
