Pahamuddin: Soldiers recovered Monday afternoon 19 assorted high-powered firearms from an armed group in the Special Geographic Area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM), the Army here said. Responding to a tip from a civilian about the presence of armed men in Barangay Lower Panangkalan, Pahamuddin, SGA-BARMM, soldiers from the 34th Infantry Battalion went to the village at about 5 p.m., but the armed men were gone.

According to Philippines News Agency, 'They evaded and abandoned their weapons,' Lt. Col. Edgardo Batinay, 34th IB battalion commander, said in a report on Tuesday. A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of assorted high-powered firearms and ammunition. Soldiers found the firearms in several locations in the village where the armed men were sighted the night before.

Batinay said the armed group was violating the election gun ban being implemented by police and military forces across the country ahead of the May 2025 midterm polls.