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Meligrito said Malagante would be turned over today to the Makilala police for the filing of appropriate charges.
The alleged rebel leader might be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, the military said.
Meligrito said his men recovered over the weekend three firearms, hand grenades, and several subversive documents.
In a radio interview, the Army official denied reports they prevented evacuees from returning home.
“I do not remember giving such an order. If there was really an order for the evacuees to stay put, I believe the order came from the LGU (local government unit),” he said.
Jennalyn Victoria Delasan, social welfare officer of Tulunan, told dxND that the military in the area had not given the evacuees a ‘go signal’ to return home.
“The fighting was so intense. So, the military told us to stay put,” said Delasan.
Meligrito said that after a weeklong offensive in the area they have killed some rebels, although he could not give an exact body count.
“Most of those killed were buried immediately by their comrades in the area, so, we have no means of knowing how many rebels had expired since February 2,” he said. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)