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Soldiers flag down MNLF members on Buluan highway, seize 50 firearms


KIDAPAWAN CITY —A hundred Army fatigue uniform-wearing men who claimed to be members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were flagged down on the national highway in Buluan, Maguindanao on Saturday.

Reports from the Army based in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat said the armed MNLF members were on trucks and were holding high-powered firearms when they were intercepted at a checkpoint in Buluan town.

The Army's report added that the assigned Army personnel ordered the Moro rebels to disembark and told to stay in a building near the choke point while negotiations for their release were on going. 

Also, soldiers manning the highway seized from the rebels at least 50 firearms, mostly long and high-powered.  The soldiers found out that most, if not all, firearms were unlicensed.  

Likewise, the Army said MNLF leaders who were with the group explained to soldiers they are headed to Buluan town for a general assembly.

All the flagged rebels were coming from North Cotabato and Davao region, according to the Army. 

A source also said the rebels were later released in the afternoon but their guns remained in the military custody.

It was not clear, though, if charges of carrying unlicensed guns would be filed against the MNLF members. —LBG, GMA News

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