PNP panel yet to receive inventory of Fallen 44’s firearms

Published February 13, 2015 2:32pm

The PNP Board of Inquiry has yet to receive an inventory of the firearms taken from the Fallen 44—the members of the Special Action Force who died in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters after killing a suspected international terrorist in what is believed to be MILF territory on Jan. 25.

PNP spokesman Supt. Generoso Cerbo said the board was still waiting for the PNP-SAF's inventory report on the firearms that were taken during during the Mamasapano clash.

“Hindi pa namin narereceive 'yung talagang inventory of the firearms na nawala dito sa Mamasapano clash,” Cerbo said in a news conference.

“Ang pinaka basehan niyan of course 'yung Special Action Force [report]. Dapat nandoon yan dun sa after operation report na sinubmit nila. Although it remains medyo classified given itong mga ongoing investigation,” he added.

The government is asking that the firearms and personal belongings of the slain commandos be returned by the MILF as a sign of goodwill. The government and the rebel group signed a peace agreement in March 2014.

In a letter read during a Senate hearing earlier this week, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said the MILF had decided "to return the firearms and any retrievable personal effects of the fallen SAF-PNP in deference to the peace process...."

Cerbo said members of the Maguindanao police, particularly those stationed in Mamasapano, will be key to the investigation of the PNP's Board of Inquiry.

He said that among the plans of the BOI chaired by Director Benjamin Magalong was to conduct a site survey in Mamasapano.

“Pupuntahan niya (Magalong) mismo 'yung site of incident to relate and compare kung ano man 'yung makukuha nilang testimonya then compare it kung ano ba 'yung situation sa actual na pinangyarihan ng insidente,” he said.

“With that plan malaki ang matutulong ng ating local police forces. They can provide ano man 'yung sarili nilang nakukuha from their own – though limited – na investigation,” he continued.

The PNP-SAF on Jan. 25 launched an operation against suspected Malaysia bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and alleged Abu Sayyaf Group bandit Abdul Basit Usman in supposed MILF territory in Mamasapano town.

Forty-four police commandos died in the operation. The MILF claims 18 of its members were killed. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News

Tags: mamasapanoclash