High-powered firearms seized
He narrated that troops of the 90th Infantry Battalion were conducting a checkpoint in Barangay Inug-ug when they noticed a suspicious-looking pickup truck approaching
ZAMBOANGA CITY — State troops in Central Mindanao reported on Sunday that they have intercepted a vehicle loaded with six high-powered firearms and collared a village chief and five individuals who are allegedly members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters — the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command acting commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas disclosed that the vehicle was intercepted at a checkpoint in Barangay Inug-ug, Pikit, North Cotabato on Wednesday.
Rojas identified the village chief as Razul Akmad of Balabak in Pikit and five of his companions who introduced themselves as members of the 129th Base Command of the BIFF-MILF in the province.
Rojas, however, stressed that the five alleged BIFF-MILF members are still unidentified.
He narrated that troops of the 90th Infantry Battalion were conducting a checkpoint in Barangay Inug-ug when they noticed a suspicious-looking pickup truck approaching. The vehicle was flagged down and during the inspection, the soldiers discovered a Philarpat uniform and about six high-powered firearms and war materials placed in the car seats.
They immediately asked the passengers for the documents of the firearms, but Akmad and his five companions failed to show any documents to the soldiers prompting the soldiers to seize the firearms and placed them under custodial investigation.
Among the firearms that were seized were four M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, one M653 rifle, 198 rounds of cartridge 7.62mm linked, 1,362 of cartridge 5.56mm balls, 10 steel magazines for M14, 38 long and 15 short steel magazines for M16, seven plate and magazine bandoliers and one set of Philarpat uniform.
The confiscated firearms and other war materials are now deposited at the 90IB for safekeeping and proper disposition.
“Our troops will remain steadfast in implementing the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms,” said Rojas. “Our friends from the peace-inclined groups to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations stipulated in the peace agreement. What they’ve done is a violation of the peace accord.”