Bid to arrest MILF ‘rejects’ leads to clash, escape of suspects

ILIGAN CITY—A group of soldiers and policemen clashed with at least 12 armed men at the outskirts of Sapad town of Lanao del Norte when the lawmen tried to arrest the leader of an alleged crime group composed of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rejects.

Lt. Col. Rolando Orenga, head of the 5th Mehanized Infantry Battalion, said the la enforcement group was out to arrest Narjamal Tamarompong when the suspect snd his followers opened fire at the arresting team.

No one was hurt in the clash but soldiers recovered high powered firearms—Armalite assault rifles and a Garand—and bullets after a 35-minute gunfight. Tamarompong fled.

Maj. Victor Leopoldo, civil military officer of 5th Mechanized Brigade, said the armed group had been rejected by the MILF when it tried to join the rebel group which now has a peace agreement with the government./TSB