During El Shaddai gathering, SAF police officer reveals details of Mamasapano ordeal

A member of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force who was part of the January 25 Mamasapano operation shared his survival story at a weekend gathering of the Catholic religious group El Shaddai.

The police officer said no reinforcement came to help the SAF personnel who engaged in an hours-long gunbattle against several heavily armed groups. 

 

"Walang tumulong sa amin. Kahit man lang sana makakita ako ng helicopter na lumilipad, masaya na ako. Pero wala, ibon lang," said the SAF member in a report on 24 Oras on Tuesday. 

 

The commando gave his sharing during the Weekly Family Appointment of the El Shaddai last Saturday. He was part of the 84th Seaborne, SAF's assault team against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan, who died in the operation. 

 

"Inabot na po ng alas tres (ng hapon), wala pa pong patay sa amin sa 84th... Sabi ni sir, kahit may mabuhay man lang sa atin para makapagdala ng daliri ni Marwan," he added. 

 

The assault team cut off a finger of Marwan when he was downed. It was then sent to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agency later confirmed that the biological sample had similar genetic markers with the DNA sample from Marwan's brother.

 

Nine of the 84th Seaborne team's members were also killed during the operation. Thirty-five of the 36 commandos from SAF's blocking force, the 55th Special Action Company, were also killed. 

 

"Ipagmamalaki ko sila. Pumuputok sila, alam nila na may tama na sila. Umiiyak sila. Alam n'yo bakit sila umiiyak? Kasi hindi na nila makikita ang anak nila," the SAF trooper added. 

 

The police officer also said that he saw no civilians during the firefight. However, one of the fighters was dragging his teenage child across the battlefield. 

 

"Sabi nila may sibilyan na nadamay. Wala pong sibilyan. Ang totoo niyan, hila-hila ng kanyang ama ang bata na 15 years old lang. Walang dalang baril pero ang ama niya may dala-dalang baril. Hinihila niya ang anak niya para sa ganoon kung may makuha silang baril, ibibigay niya sa kanyang anak. 'Yan po ang totoo," he said.  — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News