14 armed men arrested in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested 14 men armed with four handguns after they triggered panic and confusion among voters entering the Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila at around 5:30 p.m. yesterday.

A bag seized from the group yielded three .45 caliber pistols, P269,000 and a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) identification card.

One of those arrested, Rolando Ulamit, who claimed to be the MNLF chairman in Davao, said they were in Manila to settle a rido between two clans. He said they arrived last Sunday and checked in at Spring Hotel on Recto Ave. in Manila.

But during questioning by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Ulamit said they were looking for a certain Ahmad Mahmoud, one of their members who got lost.

Upon further questioning, Ulamit said they were ordered by MNLF leader Nur Misuari to deliver the money found in their possession to a person, whom he could not identify.

The STAR noticed some of the arrested men winking at each other while Ulamit was being questioned.

MNLF command chair Habib Mujahab Hashim said it is likely that the 14 men are MNLF members, adding that bringing guns is part of their security measure. – Jaime Laude, Rey Galupo