27 armed men led by a certain Aleem Abdulaziz Aminodin were arrested at a military checkpoint in a highway crossing at villages Matampay and Mipaga arond 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17.
The armed men were on board four vehicles that were en route to Saguiran, Lanao del Sur.
The men were armed with assorted high-powered firearms of varied calibers, most of which were in plain view.
Colonel Joselito Pastrana, commanding officer of the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion, said a tipster informed them regarding the armed men prompting them to set up the checkpoint.
Pastrana said a 16-year-old was among the armed men whose leader identified himself as a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Pastrana said Aminodin told them that they were on their way to rescue his daughter who was supposedly kidnapped by a rebel commander in Lanao del Norte.
The seized firearms included one M-60 machine gun with 400 rounds of ammunition, an imitation Barrett rifle with scope, an M-14 rifle with 17 rounds of ammunition, an M1 Garand rifle with eight clips and 55 ammunition, an M16 Bushmaster, and assorted rifles and pistols.
Brigadier General Roseller Murillo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade based in Marawi City, said the identities of the armed men are now being ascertained to determine whether they have links with the MNLF as claimed or with terror groups like the Maute group.
The seized firearms are now with the Philippine National Police for ballistics tests.
The 27 suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings at the Hall of Justice in Marawi City Thursday, January 19.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2017/01/20/27-armed-men-nabbed-marawi-city-521091
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2017/01/20/27-armed-men-nabbed-marawi-city-521091
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