Ampatuan militiaman yields 7 M-16 rifles

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A suspected member of the Ampatuan militia in Maguindanao was arrested late Friday afternoon in a raid by elements of the Maguindanao police and the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion.

The Ampatuans have been tagged in the Maguindanao massacre of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners, last Nov. 23.

The government forces were reportedly conducting operations against private armies in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak town when they arrested Alinor Solaiman, 29.

Solaiman was caught in possession of seven M-16 rifles believed to be part of the massive arms cache of the Ampatuans.

Solaiman is now in the custody of the 45th IB.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing against the other suspected members of the Ampatuan militia.