Lake Lanao reveals more Maute guns

ZAMBOANGA CITY  , Philippines  —   More weapons stashed by Maute militants in Lake Lanao were recovered on Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said personnel of the Naval Special Operations Group and Special Forces were patrolling the lakeside in Barangay Marinaut when they spotted several firearms on the surface of the water. 

Galvez said an M60 machine gun, two grenade launchers, 13 rounds of rocket propelled grenades, 18 rifle grenades and machine gun bullets were recovered.

Galvez lauded ground troops for their effort to locate the guns and ammunition the terrorists hid in Marawi.

“Their mission is never easy especially that there is a possibility that these ammunition will explode…However, I am confident that our combat divers are seasoned and experienced for this task,” he said.

Earlier this month, four machine guns and 26 rifles – 12 M14s,  four caliber .50s, two AK 47s, two carbines, three FALs, two M16s and an M79 – were found submerged also in Lake Lanao in front of the buildings that Maute militants had occupied before they fled the city.

Brig. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Joint Task Force Ranao commander, said several guns have also been recovered from the main battle area.

Government troops have continued clearing operations since Marawi was declared liberated from terrorists last month.

The military said the recovered guns would be destroyed to ensure that they would not end up in the hands of the terrorists again.

  President Duterte ordered the military to destroy all firearms recovered from the militants.