MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-five members of an illegal armed group claiming to be part of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were arrested in a joint operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in San Mateo, Rizal.
A report from the Philippine Army (PA) last Saturday said the joint operation was conducted last December 20 after receiving reports on the presence of an illegal armed group in Upper Patiis in San Mateo’s Barangay Guinayang.
The operation, led by the Rizal Police Provincial Office and the 80th Infantry Battalion arrested nine women and 26 men — for various violations, including illegal possession of firearms and non-cooperation with quarantine protocols.
Authorities also seized an assortment of guns and ammunition from the suspects: an Armscor .45 caliber pistol with two magazines, loaded with 18 bullets, a Shooters .45 caliber pistol with four magazines loaded with 22 bullets
four shotgun rounds, five hand-held communication radios, a jungle knife, and various military-type uniforms.
The Army said the arrested individuals will be facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, in line with the pandemic; and for violating R.A. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The 25 nipa huts used by the arrested suspects were also destroyed by the barangay officials and other personnel from San Mateo’s provincial government.