Lanao del norte: Police and Army personnel intercepted a convoy carrying over 100 armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Norte on Wednesday due to concerns over their travel coordination, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co explained that the incident arose from a "misunderstanding" regarding the group's prior arrangement for movement between provinces. The convoy, led by MILF Commander Lungga Dimaampao, was reportedly en route to attend an event at Commander Bravo's camp in Lanao del Norte.

A military report detailed that the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the PNP-Lanao del Norte conducted joint enforcement and checkpoint operations. These measures were part of the security preparations for the upcoming 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.

Authorities were informed that approximately 200 MILF members, about half of whom were armed and in uniform, were traveling to Camp Kura-Kura in Barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte, for an MILF monthly assembly meeting. The group was intercepted by joint Army and police personnel, who then negotiated with the convoy and reminded them of the prohibition on carrying firearms during such movements.

The MILF members, led by Dimaampao, acknowledged the regulation and returned to Picong, Lanao del Sur, as stated in the report. Co mentioned that while the group had secured prior coordination, it only covered their movement within Lanao del Sur. The convoy's size and the presence of high-powered firearms among some members may have caused public concern.

Col. Co emphasized that there was no intent of violence from the group; the issue stemmed from improper coordination. Only five vehicles carrying unarmed civilians were allowed to proceed to Lanao del Norte. He highlighted that the government's peace mechanism with the MILF permits such movements if they are properly coordinated and have a clear purpose.