PNP chief confirms Maute group in possession of SAF tank

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa confirmed on Tuesday that the Maute group is in possession of one of the police force's battle tanks in Marawi City.

"Totoo 'yun. That's, isa 'yan sa object of recovery. Kailangan ma-recover natin 'yun. But 'yun nga, dahan-dahan munang kini-clear [Marawi City] para makapag-recover," he said in an ambush interview in Marawi City.

Dela Rosa said the tank 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.

"Nalaglag 'yun while on their way to reinforce 'yung kapitolyo from the provincial headquarters. Na-landmine sila, na-ambush," Dela Rosa said.

"Then nung in-ambush, nasira 'yung gulong ng isa. Naiwan sila. Nagkahiwalay. Nung nagkahiwalay, iba 'yung napuntahan ng isa hanggang sa nalaglag sa canal so hindi na makapag maneuver. Wounded na 'yung mga crew," he added.

Dela Rosa said that all personnel inside the SAF tank were alive.

No beheaded policeman

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa countered the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that the Maute group beheaded the police chief of a municipality of Lanao del Sur.

Dela Rosa said Duterte's remarks were based on raw information that Sr. Insp. Freddie Solar was beheaded by the terrorists.

"May mga reports na 'yun una, 'yung raw information nakarating na si Sr. Insp. Solar pinugutan. But nung na-recover 'yung katawan niya, hindi naman pala. 'Yun 'yung nakarating kay Presidente na impormasyon. Later on, hindi naman pala napugutan," he said.

Dela Rosa added the PNP has been closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on the deployment of policemen in pursuit operations against the Maute group.

As of Monday evening, the AFP said three policemen have been killed and three others were wounded in the clashes.

Dela Rosa, however, said the PNP has yet to contact local policemen trapped in Marawi City.

"May naipit kasi lalo na 'yung mga local police sa Marawi City na nandoon lang sa downtown nakatira. Nawalan ng contact. Hindi natin alam kung nahuli sila or nagtatago sila ngayon," he said.

Government troops have been battling the Maute group in Marawi since May 23 when the latter staged attacks in key areas in the city. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KG, GMA News