MILF has yet to yield SAF guns

Where are the rest of the firearms and combat equipment of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed in an encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano four months ago?

The STAR learned yesterday that the MILF leadership has yet to surrender to the government the rest of the firearms and combat equipment of the 44 policemen who were slain while on a mission to arrest Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his cohort Basit Usman.

SAF officials reported that 63 firearms were lost during the Mamasapano operation. Only 16 firearms were turned over to the government on Feb. 18.

In a memorandum to Philippine National Police Director for Logistics Juanito Vaño Jr., former SAF officer-incharge Chief Supt. Noli Taliño said the SAF lost P27 million worth of combat equipment.

The SAF said 30 rifles, four squad automatic weapons, 11 M203s, a 90mm recoilless rifle and 10 handguns are still missing.

“Other special equipment are also missing, such as a sound suppressor, night vision goggles, night fight device and communications equipment,” the SAF added.

Reports from SAF said the MILF only surrendered a Minimi light machine gun with barrel, a caliber 7.62 mm M60 US machine gun and an M4 rifle with holographic scope, laser, flashlight, sling, front grip and a long steel magazine loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.

Other firearms surrendered were two caliber 5.56mm M4 ( Ferfrans SOAR) rifles with grenade launchers, 10 caliber 5.56mm M4 rifles, an upper assembly for caliber 5.56mm M4 rifle, three long steel and one short steel magazines for caliber 5.56mm M4 rifle and a Huawei mobile phone.