Troops Disarm MILF Fighters in Maguindanao

Government forces on Tuesday seized high-powered firearms from members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for moving around Maguindanao without coordination with local authorities and ceasefire monitors.

According to reports reaching the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) based in this camp, heavily armed men on board a mini-cargo truck were seen along a village road in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao.

Soldiers flagged down the vehicle loaded with MILF fighters led by Orly Gampong in Barangay Mileb. The rebels did not resist and peacefully handed over their rifles to elements of the 40th Infantry Battalion.

Under the 1997 government and MILF ceasefire agreement, Moro rebels must coordinate with local military and police authorities when moving from its camps to other areas. The same applies for government forces if they operate in MILF-identified areas.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman for the 6th ID-led anti-terror Task Force Central, said Gampong and his armed followers belonged to the MILF’s 106th Base Command.

Besana said the military and police are determining if Gampong’s group was to reinforce its comrades fighting another group of MILF in Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao.

Fighting had erupted between MILF’s 105th and 106th base command. The seized firearms now in Army custody included 18 M-16 assault rifles, five M-14 assault rifles, and an M-203 rifle fitted with a launcher for 40 millimeter grenade projectile. (PNA)