ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Region (PRO-BAR) has confirmed that it has arrested one of the suspects linked to the SAF 44 case at a remote village in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

PRO-BAR Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz said yesterday that combined police operatives from PRO-BAR arrested one of the suspects linked to the SAF 44 case on Friday last week in Barangay Poblacion, Ampatuan.

Macapaz declined to identify the arrested suspect but admitted that he is a resident of Barangay Tuka, Mamasapano in Maguindanao del Sur.

The arrest was carried out by a warrant issued on 24 January 2017, under Criminal Case Number SA-625, for the charge of Direct Assault with Murder.

This operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple units, including Ampatuan Municipal Police Station, Mamasapano MPS, the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, as well as RIATICTU-RID, RIU 15, and the 44th Special Action Company (44SAC) of the 4th Special Action Battalion (4SAB).

He said the suspect is currently in the custody of Ampatuan Municipal Police Station pending arrangements for his commitment to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Maguindanao del Sur for legal proceedings.

Macapaz believed that this apprehension marks a significant step toward justice for the families of the fallen SAF 44.

The SAF 44, who perished in the line of duty in that town of the then undivided Maguindanao province on 25 January 2015.