‘Government bullets used vs soldiers’

MANILA, Philippines - The military should look into why government-manufactured bullets were used by Maute terrorists against soldiers in Marawi City, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said yesterday.

Nograles, who chairs the House committee on appropriations, expressed concern over ammunition boxes with government arsenal markings that soldiers had recovered. Some of the boxes bore the markings of a private company producing firearms and ammunition.

“The worst thing we can have is an encounter with the enemy using the bullets the government arsenal manufactures against our own soldiers,” Nograles said.

He said other enemies of the government, including communist guerillas, are also using government-made or issued firearms and ammunition.

Rebels have claimed that they either seize weapons and bullets from soldiers in encounters or buy them from military officers and enlisted men.

Defense and military officials did not deny Nograles’ statements. 

However, the head of the government arsenal, retired Maj. Gen. Jonathan Mathir, said they could not monitor or control the distribution of their products once these are turned over to the military’s logistics command.

Meanwhile, Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña condemned the plan of Maute terrorists to use their hostages as suicide bombers.

Dela Peña appealed for the release of all civilian hostages, including Fr. Teresito Suganob.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año said 56 civilians remain in the hands of the Maute group.

Sources said the military is preparing for a possible “final push” to rescue the hostages.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command and Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson, said government troops would ensure the safety of the captives.