In a significant enforcement action, Anwar Zumpaga Saluwang, the appointed mayor of Nabalawag in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), along with three of his aides, were apprehended at the Sirawan checkpoint in Davao City. The arrest occurred on Tuesday night, February 4, 2025, due to a breach of the election gun ban. The mayor and his aides, identified as Prangco Butulan Paglas, Samsudin Ayob Kabagani, and Maroufh Abas Yusop, were traveling in a gray pickup truck when they were stopped by a joint team from Task Force Davao (TFD) and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) during a routine check. The authorities confiscated a 9mm pistol loaded with 46 rounds of ammunition and a .45-caliber pistol equipped with two magazines holding 15 rounds. The suspects and the seized firearms are currently being held at Police Station 8 of the DCPO for further investigation. Col. Rodrigo Mariñas Jr., the commander of TFD, emphasized the importance of such operations in maintaining the safety and security of Davao City’s residents. He commended the vigilance of the TFD and DCPO teams at the Sirawan checkpoint for their role in intercepting illegal items.
