COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Authorities arrested 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and seized high-powered firearms in Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday, February 6, but later released them without a clear explanation despite the election gun ban.
The military and police moved in to prevent further violence between two warring MILF factions in the town of Sultan sa Barongis.
The Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), which oversees the ceasefire between the government and MILF, intervened before the suspects were freed.
Incidentally, the joint military and police operation came the same day a United States defense department-contracted aircraft crashed in nearby Ampatuan town, killing a US military service member and three defense contractors sent on an intelligence and surveillance mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities.
Lieutenant Colonel Roden Orbon, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, confirmed the CCCH’s role in peace-building efforts in the town but did not explain why the men were released despite the election rule barring unauthorized firearms.
The incident came barely a month after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared the start of the election period, which runs from January 12 to June 11 for the 2025 midterms, with security measures like a gun ban and checkpoints to curb violence.
The conflict in the Maguindanao del Sur town involved rival MILF factions led by relatives Marato and Baguindali Felmin over personal differences, said Lieutenant Udgie Villan, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion. The fighting has already displaced residents.
Security forces disarmed the groups in Sitio Damabago, in Barangay Barurao, but many fled. Authorities caught 17 and recovered firearms, some left behind.
Colonel Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade, said military intervention averted bloodshed.
“We are closely monitoring the area to prevent renewed violence. This serves as a warning to groups planning to engage in violence, as our military is always on alert to prevent this, especially with the election gun ban in place,” Catu said.
Brigadier General Donald Gumiran, 6th ID and Joint Task Force Central commander, urged the factions to settle disputes through dialogue.
“Violence is never the solution to conflicts. Instead, peaceful dialogue is the key to resolving misunderstandings,” Gumiran said. – Rappler.com