‘Maute guns’ recovered in Lanao

LANAO DEL SUR — Soldiers found 30 assorted firearms in a shallow spot in Lake Lanao near a village in Marawi City on Sunday.

Major Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command said on Monday that the arms cache was discovered by Army personnel, acting on tips from vigilant residents.

The recovered firearms consisted of a crew-served .50 caliber machinegun, three M60 machineguns, a dozen M14 rifles, four .50 caliber bolt-action sniping rifles, two AK 47 rifles, two .30 caliber Carbines, an M-79 grenade launcher and two M16 rifles.

Galvez said informants have confirmed that the firearms belong to the Maute terror group.

“It seems the terrorists dropped the firearms into the lake to hasten their escape,” Galvez said.

More than 30 firearms were recovered in clearing operations in Marawi City the past three weeks, found with the help of local residents.

Galvez said there are Maranaos now actively helping the police and Westmincom locate hidden armaments of Maute terrorists.