MILF formally turns over to govt firearms of slain SAF men
At least 16 firearms, including two machine guns, were included in the turnover, GMA News' Raffy Tima reported.
A total of 16 rifles including 2 machine guns recovered from the Mamasapano encounter. to be turned over by the MILF. pic.twitter.com/I68M5GrDoB
— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) February 18, 2015
A complete M4 rifle equipped w/ optics, laser designator and tactical flashlight turned over by the MILF. | @rafftima pic.twitter.com/8cmaiEtkKi
— GMA News (@gmanews) February 18, 2015
63 firearms used by PNP-SAF during the Mamasapano operation were lost. MILF turned over 15-20 of them today. | via @raffytima @newstogoGNTV
— GMA News (@gmanews) February 18, 2015
Government peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said it was not easy to reach this step. "Hindi po madaling makarating sa araw na ito. Tulad po ng mga pamilya ng Special Action Forces, namatayan rin ng guerilla ang mga MILF," she said.
Later at the press conference, Iqbal said they will continue checking for other firearms and equipment of the slain SAF men in the MILF's possession.
"Gaya ng sinabi ko, hindi pa tapos ang efforts ng MILF. Hahanapin pa ang armas... Baka may natira pa sa possession ng MILF. Hahanapin namin 'yan," Iqbal said.
International Monitoring Team
Catapang, Deles for peace
Returning firearms
Earlier, the MILF said it will return soon the firearms its fighters took from the SAF during the Mamasapano clash.
But the MILF said the firearms it recovered from the clash will not be all the items on the SAF's list, which amount to P27 million. It said other armed groups also took away some of the items from the SAF.
A complete M4 rifle equipped with optics, laser designator and tactical flashlight turned over by the MILF. pic.twitter.com/cjNMGHkdtv
— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) February 18, 2015
PNP SAF officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño's memorandum to PNP logistics director Director Juanito Vaño Jr. indicated the SAF lost P27 million worth of sophisticated combat equipment.
The list includes:
- 4 savage sniper rifles
- 4 crew-served weapons (M-60 machine guns)
- 10 Ferfrans M-203 grenade launchers
- 1 90mm recoiless rifle
- 11 short firearms
- 8 Glock handguns
- 2 Berreta handguns
- 1 CZ
— Joel Locsin and Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/LBG/KG/RSJ, GMA News