Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Armed MILF men hold peace event By Lino Dela Cruz Iligan Correspondent
ILIGAN CITY -- At least 600 fully armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members riding onboard 28 dump trucks passed by this city Monday unhampered even as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban is in effect.
The MILF members were on their way to Barangay Rogongon for a "Peace Advocacy" program.
Inspector Emanuel Macabecha, police station 2 commander, said the 28-dump truck convoy passed by their checkpoint in Nunocan and were allowed to enter the city proper with Philippine Army soldier and an armed personnel carrier (APC) in escort.
The police said the fully armed MILF members carried their high-powered firearms with muzzles down a gesture of "peace."
PNP City Police Director Virgilio Ranes said he received a communication from the government-MILF peace panel and from the Regional Police Office about the convoy that will pass through this city on the way to Barangay Bonbonon for the "Peace Advocacy."
And based on the request of the government-MILF peace panel, the firearms of the MILF members were not confiscated even with the ongoing gun ban of the Comelec.
Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz will meet Wednesday with the top police officials here to verify an alleged report of recruitment by the MILF of young men here and monitor the activity.
