GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Some of the vehicles recovered by police in the aftermath of the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, last year are reportedly back on the road again.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court officials and state prosecutors who are handling the case made the discovery during an inspection at the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office in Tambler, General Santos City, Tuesday.

Lawyer Prima Jesusa Quinsayas, legal counsel of the massacre victims’ families, said the vehicles stored in the police compound are considered as pieces of evidence in the ongoing multiple murder case filed against members of the Ampatuan clan.

The vehicles that are no longer under the PNP regional office’s safekeeping include an undetermined number of police patrol pick-up trucks and several vans.

PNP regional director Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu said he received an order from Camp Crame to release the pick-up trucks. He said police need to use the vehicles.

Meanwhile, some of the vans involved in the case were allegedly claimed by their owner, who was not identified.

Khu said the vehicles’ release received court approval.

Former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., his sons, and supporters are among the accused in the November 23 killings. The victims include at least 30 journalists. – with a report from Anne Santos, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN