Espina to MILF: Return our weapons

Philippine National Police officer-ic-charge Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina assured on Thursday that their relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines "remains very, very strong."

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina on Thursday demanded the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return the Special Action Force (SAF) gears left during the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"Yung mga gamit namin isoli ninyo. We demand that you return them to us," Espina said during a press conference.

Espina stressed that if there was a lack of coordination between the PNP and MILF, it was not a reason for the latter to kill 44 police commandos.

The PNP is waiting for the results of its Board of Inquiry (BOI) which will determine the factors that led to the bloody encounter at Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"There were lapses, definitely. Forty-four ang patay," Espina noted.

Espina added that the BOI will file a case against the MILF once warranted.

"Pinatay nila ang tao ko. Idedemanda namin silang lahat. Who are culpable, liable?" the acting PNP chief said, adding that the death of 44 police commandos was an "overkill."

The MILF was earlier accused of selling weapons they took from SAF members who died during the Mamasapano encounter.

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