8 suspects held, 14 guns seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Joint police and military teams arrested eight suspected members of a lawless group following an encounter in North Cotabato on Thursday.

The security forces were deployed in Barangay Kudarangan in Midsayap to prevent the escalation of conflict between two warring groups in Barangay Kudarangan, Midsayap when they were attacked by an undetermined number of armed men led by Madalis Tayuan, alias Sukarno Katog, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzales said.

Seven suspects were initially arrested. They reportedly yielded seven M14 rifles with magazines and bullets.

Another suspect was arrested and seven M16 rifles were seized in a follow-up operation conducted by the 34th Infantry Battalion.

“The apprehension of the armed men must serve as a lesson to those who are planning to create havoc due to disputes and conflicts,” Gonzales said.