Rifles seized from MILF guerrillas

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – At least 24 rifles were confiscated from members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguinda-nao on Tuesday.

Eighteen M16, five M14 and an M203 fitted with a grenade launcher were recovered and placed under the custody of the 40th Infantry Battalion.

The MILF men led by Orly Gampong were on a truck when intercepted by Army personnel in Barangay Mileb, Sultan sa Barongis town, according to reports reaching the 6th Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Task Force Central spokesman, said Gampong and his men belong to the MILF’s 106th Base Command.

“Under joint security protocols, the incident shall be reported to the joint ceasefire committee for appropriate action,” Besana said. 

Under a security pact signed in July 1997, the government and the MILF should coordinate all their tactical movements in potential flashpoint areas.