PNP recovers SAF armored personnel carrier seized by Maute group, but ammo missing

The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) on Saturday retrieved its armored personnel carrier seized by terrorist Maute group during the siege of Marawi City.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "Balitanghali," the PNP-SAF's troopers recovered the V150 Commando fire support vehicle in an overnight retrieval operation in Barangay Poona Marantao.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier said the vehicle was supposed to serve as reinforcement to police assigned at the provincial headquarters when it was ambushed and fell into the hands of the Maute group.

GMA News sources said the operator of the vehicle and all SAF personnel inside were alive after they managed to crawl stealthily away from the vehicle while they were being ambushed by the Maute group.

The 50 caliber machine mounted on the V150 Commando, however, was already missing. The police is also looking if the vehicle can still be used. — John Ted Cordero/MDM/ALG, GMA