ARMED with search warrant, Sr. Insp. Pepito Reyes of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Northern Mindanao and soldiers from the Philippine Army on the morning of February 13, 2013 raided the house of Pantao Ragat Vice Mayor Lacson Mangotara Lantud of Lanao del Norte that resulted to the seizure of one M60 MG, one BAR, six M203 grenade launchers, two M79 grenade launchers, nine M14 rifles, two M16 rifles, 14 Garand rifles, six short handguns, and assorted ammunitions.

On 13 February 2013, at least 45 high powered firearms that included machineguns and grenade launchers were seized from the home of the Mayor Eleanor Dimaporo- Lantud in Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte.

The combined forces of the Special Action Force (SAF) from Manila and Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) seized the arms cache on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Mario dela Cruz Jr. of Branch 22 of the Metro Manila Judicial Branch, said Police Regional Office-X (PRO-10) director Chief Superintendent Catalino Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said the search warrant was issued on a charge of illegal possession of firearms against Pantao Ragat Vice Mayor Lacson Mangotara Lantud.

The arms cache, which included a Browning Automatic Rifle, two M79 grenade launchers, six M203 assault rifles with grenade launchers, nine M14 rifles, two M16 rifles, 14 Garand rifles and six handguns and assorted ammunitions are now under the custody of PRO-10 in Camp Alagar, this city.

The firearms will be subjected to ballistic examinations at the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) laboratory to determine if they have been used previously, said RCIDU regional director Senior Superintendent Eliseo Rasco.

Rasco said that Vice Mayor Lantud was on official business in Manila when the raid occurred. His wife, Mayor Dimaporo-Lantud was invited for questioning.

The haul was the biggest seizure so far since the implementation of the gun ban by the Commission on Elections.