PNP probes SAF 44's 'dud grenades'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered an investigation into allegations that many M-203 grenade launcher ammunition issued to the police commandos during the operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25 were defective.

In an ambush interview at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said he has directed the head of PNP-Directorate for Logistics to review and test the firearms.

"Tignan muna natin kasi may cyclic (rate) 'yan e. Yung ano parang granada...That's what you call an M203. Tingnan natin kung (maganda) yung cycle...Tignan muna natin at pina-review ko na 'yan sa Director for Logistics. Let's see first yung 'pag test," Espina said.

Superintendent Raymund Train, intelligence officer of the PNP-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who led the 38-member assault team, said in his testimony during a congressional inquiry into the operation that their grenades were defective.

READ: SAF 44 grenades a dud

More than 300 SAF men were sent to Mamasapano to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino terrorist Basit Usman.

The SAF men, however, were engaged by fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

A total of 44 SAF men were killed in the encounter.

The incident happened despite an existing peace agreement between the rebel group and the government.