Firearms seized from abandoned camp of self-claimed MNLF faction in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 18): Firearms seized from abandoned camp of self-claimed MNLF faction in N. Cotabato

Joint military and police forces seized several firearms from an armed group claiming to be a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in remote Barangay Guangan here.

Lt. Col. Harold Argamoza, Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion commander, said that recovered from the abandoned makeshift camp of the Bangsamoro Royal Republik (BRP) in the village were a 9 mm caliber pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun.

Also retrieved were a BRP signage, photos, documents and an MNLF flag.

Argamoza said that combined local police and 38th IB personnel swooped down on the village after receiving reports that the BRP group is organizing and establishing an encampment in the area.

“We verified the report and confirmed the presence of the self-confessed MNLF group in Guangan,” he said.

Argamoza said they coordinated with local village officials on their operation, tagging along Datu Rodney Fuerte, who chairs the Municipal Federation of Tribal Chieftain, as witness to their action.
The camp, however, has been deserted before the raiding team arrived.

Earlier reports said a certain Datu Monreal, who was recruiting natives in adjacent Kidapawan City to join their cause, headed the group.

The BRP moved to the interiors of this town after Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista issued a cease and desist order for the group’s recruitment activity.

Local MNLF leaders based in Kidapawan City have denied the claim of Monreal that they were a part of the organic MNLF group.

The MNLF, then under founding chair Nur Misuari, inked a final peace accord with the national government on Sept. 2, 1996.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=932298