Manila: Police in the Philippines have arrested members of a well-connected syndicate for allegedly supplying weapons and ammunition to the Abu Sayyaf militant group as well as local political kingpins.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa said members of the Anti-Transnational Crimes Unit on Saturday arrested four men, including a local politician in Sulu, in connection with an attempt to smuggle a number of high-powered guns as well as military grade explosives and ammunition.

“The arrest of members of this group will have an impact on the illicit trade in arms in Sulu and Basilan,” Dela Rosa said.

He added that since there are still a number of people engaged in smuggling of firearms, it would be difficult to totally suppress these kinds of activities.

Authorities raided a residence in San Juan where the syndicate stored the weapons they smuggled before shipment.

Ironically, the house is located just two blocks away from the gate of national police headquarters at Unit No. 8, 3rd West Crame.

One of the alleged leaders of the group, Unding Kenneth Isa, was presented by Dela Rosa during the press briefing at the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday morning.

Supt Roel Obusan, CIDG Acting Director, said Isa ran for Sulu vice-governor during the recent May 2016 general election but eventually lost.

Isa maintains a shop selling various merchandise at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Obusan said that the CIDG had received an information sometime in July 2016 that Isa and a certain “Wahid,” both natives of Indanan, Sulu, led the gun-running group that supplies high-powered guns to ASG and warlords in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The syndicate collects the weapons from various sources Manila and then ships it to Zamboanga, then to Jolo, Sulu, using SUVs.

According to Obusan, the opportunity to arrest Isa came when police received information that the group is buying a number of high-powered guns, parts and ammunition in behalf of an unidentified Abu Sayyaf commander.

Aside from Isa, also arrested were Risdimona Isa, Aljamer Akarab Mandih and Hurbin Alhi Sahibu.

Dela Rosa said police were investigating the possibility that the guns were pilfered from government arsenal.

“Most of the weapons and ammunition have markings indicating that they are from the government arsenal,” he said, adding that the firearms, some of which are brand new, are registered with the necessary agency.

Dela Rosa said the incident could not have happened without the knowledge of several individuals in key positions.

“This syndicate is well connected, he said.

According to officials, among the weapons that were seized were five M4 assault rifles fitted with M203 grenade launchers, six M79 grenade launchers, two M14 battle rifles an AR 15 rifle, a .45 calibre pistol as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Following the kidnap for ransom of several people in Sulu, the Abu Sayyaf has apparently currently engaged in a weapons buying spree.

“The Abu Sayyaf is building up armaments to fight head on with government forces in Sulu and Basilan, and to intensify their kidnapping and bombing operations,” Dela Rosa said.

He added that charges of violations of the comprehensive firearms laws and illegal possession of explosives is being prepared against the suspects.

The government is currently engaged in an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf following the string of kidnappings in Sulu and Basilan.