Civilian turns over SAF equipment

MANILA, Philippines - A civilian handed over to authorities a few Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) equipment recovered from the clash site in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

A report by ABS-CBN's ANC said that the civilian on Saturday turned over a Kevlar helmet, a ballistic plate and a radio communication device.

The civilian, who asked to be unidentified for his security, is  a resident of Barangay Tukalanipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao who came over the clash site after the armed encounter between the PNP-SAF and Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters last January 25.

The equipment will be turned over to the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Mindanao.

PNP officer-in-charge Director General Leonardo Espina earlier demanded the MILF to return the SAF equipment taken from the 44 police commandos killed during the encounter.

Aside from firearms, the Muslim rebels also took cell phones from the slain police commandos.

The MILF leadership has pledged to return the policemen's equipment.

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