Cops seek return of killing evidence in Maguindanao massacre

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has asked a Quezon City court to release an armored vehicle and some high-powered rifles which are prosecution evidence in the Maguindanao massacre trial.

In particular, the Police Regional Office Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PROARMM) is appealing for the return of an armored personnel carrier (APC), two machine guns, 13 rifles and two pistols that were seized in raids on properties of the Ampatuan family after the Nov. 23, 2009, Maguindanao massacre.

The “Sangoku” APC, which has two 50-cal. machine guns mounted on it, was found at a rice mill owned by the Ampatuans, the main suspects in the grizzly killing of over 57 people.

In its urgent motion for intervention, the PROARMM told the judge it would need the additional firepower to keep peace and order in the region, particularly with the elections only months away.

The APC and firearms belong to the PROARMM, the motion said.

“The firearms are valuable assets which could be issued to police personnel in the field. With the elections coming, more police personnel are expected to be deployed in the streets, increasing the need for long firearms,” the police said in its urgent motion for intervention. Julie M. Aurelio