SULTAN KUDARAT: Police authorities apprehended the chairperson of a village in Maguindanao del Sur at his Lambayong residence on Thursday afternoon, citing illegal possession of firearms as the reason for the arrest. The official, identified as Norodin Utto Jr., 35, was taken into custody following the issuance of an arrest warrant.
According to Philippines News Agency, Utto resides in Barangay Poblacion, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, although he serves as the chair of Barangay Panadtabah in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. Capt. Jayson Cepeda, the municipal police chief of Lambayong, stated, “Utto maintains a residence in Lambayong while holding office in Rajah Buayan.”
The arrest operation was conducted at around 3 p.m. when officers, armed with a court-issued arrest warrant, arrived at Utto’s residence. The warrant was issued for violations of Republic Act 10591, known as the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
Capt. Cepeda confirmed that Utto did not offer any resistance when taken into custod
y. Following the arrest, the court set a bail amount of PHP10,000, allowing Utto temporary liberty through his legal counsel.