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Stiff sanctions await military arms pilferers

By Priam Nepomuceno

September 18, 2019, 4:14 pm

<p>DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong. <em>(File photo)</em></p>

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong. (File photo)

MANILA -- Any member of the country's defense establishment found guilty of gunrunning or pilferage of weapons will be meted the stiffest possible sanctions, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

"We take cognizance of Chief Minister Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim's comment. We assure the public that anyone from the defense establishment who is found guilty of gunrunning or pilferage of firearms and munitions will be dealt with severely and sanctioned accordingly," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Andolong was reacting to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim's claims that the military is the main source of loose firearms in Mindanao.

He noted that the DND is strongly against the proliferation of loose firearms and will not tolerate any individuals or groups that violate Philippine gun laws.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will conduct a probe on Murad's claim.

"We are aware that there were losses of firearms and ammunition during armed engagements and ambuscades in the past. And those were properly reflected on records. But given this information and other attendant details from (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) Chairman Murad, we will conduct investigation and inventory," AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo said that the AFP is taking cases of pilferage seriously.

"And should this be the case, we will throw the books at any military personnel found guilty of such offense. And they will be meted stiff penalties under the Articles of War -- other criminal and civil punishments applicable, notwithstanding," Arevalo noted.

"We would like to assure Mr. Murad and the public that this is not tolerated in the AFP," he added. (PNA)

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