MILF returns 9 firearms taken from slain SAF commandos

AFP FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front returned late Tuesday afternoon several weapons of slain police commandos that were taken by rebels following the intense fighting in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on January 25.

A military source, who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to media, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that members of the government and MILF’s Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities, along with the International Monitoring Team, went to Madia, a remote barangay (village) in the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, around 5:30 p.m. to get the weapons from the rebel’s 105th Base Command.

The source said at least nine assorted high powered guns assigned to slain Philippine National Police Special Action Force troops were turned over by the rebels.

“We provided security to them in going to Madia. The mission was just quick. They pulled out from the area around 6:35 p.m.,” the source said.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal would neither deny nor confirm the report.

“I won’t talk on that matter. You can ask and get the details with the government CCCH,” Iqbal said.

A staff of the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) confirmed the report, saying more than nine guns were returned by the rebels.

“It will be presented tomorrow (Wednesday) to the media,” he said on Tuesday night.

The Opapp will be holding a press conference Wednesday morning at Camp Siongco, the headquarters of 6th Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, also in Maguindanao.

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