Philippines: August 2, 2004

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The government said they had information indicating that the MILF had received two arms shipments on July 24th, consisting of 1,190 assault rifles and thousands of rounds of ammo. Two more shipments were due this year. The government did not know who the gunrunners were, but was trying to find out. The MILF was accused of  bargaining in bad faith, recruiting and arming new fighters, while negotiating a peace deal with the government. The MILF denied that such a weapons deal had been made, but the government had numerous witnesses to the movement of the arms. The government informants also say that the next shipment will contain mortars and machine-guns.