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Returned SAF firearms can be used as evidence vs MILF

Photo by DWDD

The Philippine National Police-Board of Inquiry or PNP-BOI should check the serial numbers of the Special Action Force (SAF) firearms returned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF weeks after the bloody Mamasapano incident, an administration solon urged.

 

Valenzuela City Congressman Win Gatchalian said the serial numbers of the surrendered Ferfrans caliber 5.56mm SOAR (special operations assault rifle) can be cross-checked with the SAF-issued memorandum orders (MOs) and memorandum receipts (MRs).

 

He added it will determine who among the 44 dead SAF commandos own the firearms, which were recently turned over by the MILF to government authorities.

 

 

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Gatchalian made the statement following reports that the firearm of Police Officer 1 Joseph Sagonoy, the wounded SAF commando shown in a video being shot twice in the head, was among the 14 M-4 rifles returned by the MILF.

The Valenzuela City representative pointed out returned firearms could actually be used as evidence against the MILF should it turn out that these were owned by the 35 SAF troopers.

 

The 35 SAF troopers belonged to the 55th Special Action Company who were wiped out by Moro rebels in more than 10 hours of fighting in a coverless corn field in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano.

The 55th SAC served as blocking force to the SAF’s 84th Seaborne Company, which served as the assault team to the hideout of Malaysian international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan. Nine members of the 84th Seaborne were killed before their comrades were able to kill Marwan and cut his finger for DNA testing.

“The PNP-BOI’s confirmation that one of the returned firearms belong to PO1 Sagonoy already constitutes circumstantial evidence that MILF men were behind the video and the cold-blooded killing of the SAF commando,” explained Gatchalian.

 

 

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Gatchalian further averred that should the 14 returned M-4 rifles and two light machine guns belong to the slain members of the 55th SAC, then that will prove that MILF members were the ones who slaughtered them in the corn field.

“The returned SAF firearms, together with the autopsy report on those SAF commandos who were the said M-4s, can actually be used as evidence in filing charges against the MILF, specifically by the Department of Justice,” said Gatchalian.

An undated report titled “Inventory of PNP equipment lost during Operation Exodus” showed that 62 assorted firearms and 225 pieces of special equipment and communications gadgets were lost in the Mamasapano incident.

“Please be informed that the following equipment and supplies were used by SAF troops and are believed to be carted away by members of MILF during the recent encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,” SAF acting Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño wrote in the report.

Among the SAF firearms lost were 30 pieces of Ferfrans caliber 5.56mm SOAR; two Rock River caliber 5.56mm rifles; four Savage caliber 7.62mm sniper rifles; 10 Ferfrans M203 grenade launchers; two M60 caliber 7.62mm light machine guns; two Negev caliber 5.56mm light machine gun; two Beretta 9mm pistol; one CZ 75 9mm pistol; eight Glock 17 9mm pistol; and one 90mm recoilless rifle.

 

 

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Firearms accessories that were lost in the operation include six pieces of sound suppressor; one forward-looking infrared; seven night vision goggles; four night fighting devices; four generation 3 night vision monoculars; two NVG head mounts; one laser bore sight; four carbine infrared lasers; four laser device infrared pointers; 12 PEQ2 scopes; four Leupold scopes; seven GPS map 60s; five GPS Foretrex devices; and four binoculars.

SAF uniform and personal equipment that were lost include 37 kevlar tactical helmets; four tactical vests;79 ceramic plates;15 gas masks with canisters; four protective clear glasses; 21 communication gadgets (mostly Harris and Motorola radios); two combat casualty response kits; and 16 individual patrol officers’ kits.

Ammunition that were either used or lost include 28,400 rounds of ammunition for caliber 5.56mm rifles and machine guns; 4,100 rounds for caliber 7.62mm weapons; 5,700 for caliber 9mm; eight rounds for the recoilless rifle; 150 rounds for grenade launchers; 20 hand grenades; and 638 pieces of various ammunition magazines.

A survey of the prices of the SAF firearms and equipment lost in Mamasapano will give an idea how much money were lost by the government last January 25. In earlier reports, the estimated cost of the lost firearms and equipment is at P27 million.

A 5.56mm-caliber basic assault rifle is worth P50,000; while a 9mm-caliber pistol is priced P16,660. A squad automatic weapon costs P430,000; while a light machine gun has a price tag of P449,000.

 

 

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A VHF handheld radio costs P11,045; a VHF mobile radio P20,000, and; a VHF base radio P81,720. As for anti-terrorism and ISO equipment, a stun grenade is worth P2,300; while a binocular costs P8,000. Each GPS costs P101,400; tactical vest P43,750; ballistic helmet P23,437.50; gas mask P8,000; and ballistic plate P24,280.

It is not clear of the special equipment turned over on Nov. 7, 2014 to SAF were among those lost in Mamasapano. The equipment includes thermal imagers priced at P1.84 million each; illuminators at P20,000 each; ranger finders at P11,700 each; and CDM gas masks at P8,000 each.

The MILF has so far turned over to the government 14 M4 assault rifles and two light machine guns belonging to the fallen SAF troopers. The BIFF has refused to return the spoils of war and said they will be used against government forces. (R. Burgos/Monica Cantilero)