DAVAO CITY (September 3) — Police and military authorities on Wednesday intercepted and escorted back to Picong, Lanao del Sur, a convoy of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members who were reportedly traveling to Camp Kura-kura in Munai, Lanao del Norte, to attend the organization’s monthly meeting.
Police Colonel Leo De Leon Sua, police provincial director of Lanao del Norte Police, said in a media interview that the convoy, which included members of the 131st Brigade of the MILF, was flagged down at Barangay Libertad in Kulambugan, Lanao del Norte, at around 7:30 in the morning on Wednesday, September 2.
Sua emphasized that the operation was not directed against the MILF or intended to prevent its members from participating in legitimate political activities, but it was a usual security verification applied to any group or individual passing through the checkpoint. Especially since Lanao del Norte is covered by the election gun ban in effect for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections.
Authorities conducted a verification after stopping the convoy and found that the group could not present the pertinent documents or proof of proper coordination with concerned authorities for their movement, which Saad said is part of the established protocol for such travel.
The convoy consisted of 23 motor vehicles and five motorcycles, with several members reportedly carrying firearms.
The presence of armed MILF members traveling as a large convoy prompted authorities to verify the group’s purpose and ensure that the movement had been properly coordinated before allowing them to proceed farther into Lanao del Norte.
Following discussions between the MILF members and government security authorities, police and military personnel personally escorted the convoy back toward their post and directed the group to return to Picong, Lanao del Sur.
Saad did not indicate whether the group would be allowed to proceed to Camp Kura-kura once the required coordination or documentation was secured.
The incident comes amid heightened attention to the movements of armed MILF members as the organization continues its transition from an armed movement to a political organization and as preparations for the Bangsamoro regional elections intensify.
Authorities have yet to clarify whether the convoy committed any violations beyond the reported failure to present the required proof of coordination, or whether any firearms were confiscated during the incident.- With a report from Michael Navarro
