AFP returns recovered SAF equipment to PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Troopers from the military's 601st Infantry Brigade on Tuesday returned to the Philippine National Police recovered equipment of police commandos killed in the January 25 encounter with Moro rebels.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said Wednesday that Army members scoured the items lost by the Special Action Force (SAF) during the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"Through the efforts of the said unit and its commander, Col. Melquiades Feliciano, the equipment were collected one by one from the people who got these from the SAF 44," Cabunoc said in a state news report.

Among the recovered materials were five units of night vision goggles, three laser target pointers, two night fighting devices, two units of night vision monoculars, three units of hand-held Harris radios, one laser designator, two gas masks, one Kevlar helmet, one set vest, one pair combat boots, one lower uniform pants and two gun protective cases.

He said that the military personnel were assisted by civilian non-government organizations, residents and religious leaders to have the instruments returned.

"The recovered equipment were turned over by the AFP to the PNP late afternoon yesterday," Cabunoc said.

Last month, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) recovered from its men involved in the bloody firefight some firearms and materials from the slain police troopers.

The MILF turned over the weapons to the government peace panel and the military on February 17, saying it was an expression of the group's commitment to the peace process.

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, whose members were also involved in the skirmish, had refused to return weapons from the SAF, saying they consider those war booty. - Camille Diola