SAF 44 equipment turned over to PNP

MANILA, Philippines—Equipment and other belongings used by troops of the Special Action Force during Oplan Exodus on Jan. 25 in Maguindanao have been officially returned to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The mission essential equipment, which have been collected by the Army’s 601st Brigade, were lost during the clashes between the troops and Moro rebels.

“Through the efforts of 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 who paid the ultimate sacrifice during that fateful day,” Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said on Wednesday.

The recovered equipment were turned over by the military on Tuesday afternoon.

The equipment include: Five units of night vision goggles, three laser target pointers, two night fighting devices, two units night vision monocular, three units hand-held Harris radios, one Nebo Protec laser designator, two gas masks, one Kevlar helmet, one set vest, one pair combat boots, one lower uniform pants and two gun protective cases.

The bungled mission that targeted top terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan in Mamasapano killed 44 elite police officers, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front members and five civilians.