COTABATO CITY, Feb. 18 – Capt. Joanne Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the firearms were picked-up by members of the government and MILF coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities in a remote village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The symbolic turnover of the firearms, consisting caliber 5.56 M-16 rifles, two M-203 rifles, two light machine guns and an upper part of an M-4 carbine, was held at the officers’ club of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
The guns were turned over by the MILF 105th base command Von Al Haq, MILF military chief, confirmed the guns were recovered by MILF fighters after a day-long clash with PNP Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.
At least 45 guns, including the firearms of PO3 Chris Lalan who survived the carnage while his companions in the back-up unit were all wiped out, remained missing believed to be in the hands of the MILF or the BIFF.
The clash happened after the police commandos successfully killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.
The commandos were leaving the clash site when its back-up force clashed with combined forces of MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in a corn field in Barangay Tukanalipao. (PNA/ Edwin O. Fernandez)
Members of the International Monitoring Team inspect the firearms turned over by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the government Tuesday night at Camp Siongco, Awang in Maguindanao. GPH/OPAPP photo.
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So, did the government peace panel paid the MILF for the return of the guns and ammunitions stolen from the Fallen44 SAF commandos? Sounds credible.