MILF formally turns over to govt firearms of slain SAF men

From GMA News (Feb 18): MILF formally turns over to govt firearms of slain SAF men

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Wednesday turned over to the government the firearms of Special Action Force troopers slain in a clash in Mamasapano in Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

Wednesday's turnover was held during ceremonies at Camp Brig. Gen. Gonzalo Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

 

Handshakes among representatives from the government and the MILF highlighted the turnover of the firearms. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gregorio Catapang Jr. was among the officials present.

At least 16 firearms were included in the turnover, GMA News' Raffy Tima reported.



Raffy Tima @raffytima   

A total of 16 rifles including 2 machine guns recovered from the Mamasapano encounter. to be turned over by the MILF.

9:22 PM - 17 Feb 2015

15 Retweets 8 favorites    

 

One of the firearms was an M-4 rifle with optics, laser designator and tactical flashlight.

 

         

GMA News        ✔ @gmanews

Follow

A complete M4 rifle equipped w/ optics, laser designator and tactical flashlight turned over by the MILF. | @rafftima

9:29 PM - 17 Feb 2015

5 Retweets 4 favorites 

 

The SAF had lost about 63 firearms during the Mamasapano operation.

 

GMA News        ✔ @gmanews Follow

63 firearms used by PNP-SAF during the Mamasapano operation were lost. MILF turned over 15-20 of them today. | via @raffytima @newstogoGNTV

8:39 PM - 17 Feb 2015

7 Retweets 1 favorite     

 

Government peace panel chairperson Miriam Ferrer said it was not easy to reach this date, considering the deaths from the government and MILF sides.

 

Aside from the 55th and 84th SAF, she said the MILF also lost guerrillas in the encounter. "Hindi maiiwasan ang itong paghihinagpis na ito," she said.

Yet, she commended the parties concerned for returning the firearms instead of treating them as so-called war booty.

 

For his part, MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal said this shows the MILF "is willing to travel an extra mile" for peace.

 

"We are willing to travel the extra mile just to ensure the peace process will proceeed," he said, but also asked media to be objective.

Ceasefire committees

 

Ferrer said the ceasefire committees of both sides met in Cotabato City Tuesday, and proceeded to the site where the first firearm collection took place.

 

The first batch of firearms was deposited Tuesday night at Kampilan headquarters.

 

On Wednesday morning, the second batch was collected, she said.

 

Call to BIFF to return firearms

 

Ferrer also called on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to return firearms from the scene as well. The BIFF is a splinter group of the MILF.

 

"Panawagan natin siyempre sa ating mga kapatid tulad ng civilians na makakuha ng gamit sana kusang loob ibalik ito," she added.

Returning firearms

Earlier, the MILF said it will return soon the firearms its fighters took from the SAF during the Mamasapano clash.

Forty-four SAF troopers died during the hours-long gunfight with the MILF and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The troopers were then on a mission to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan of Jemaah Islamiyah and Filipino bomb maker and Abu Sayyaf member Basit Usman.

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 took away some of the items from the SAF.
 

         
 

Raffy Tima @raffytima   

A complete M4 rifle equipped with optics, laser designator and tactical flashlight turned over by the MILF.

9:20 PM - 17 Feb 2015

1 Retweet 1 favorite     

Philippine National Police 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:
 

- 33 Ferfrans/Rockriver assault rifles
- 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

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/439715/news/nation/milf-formally-turns-over-to-govt-firearms-of-slain-saf-men