PNP-SAF suffers biggest loss after arresting Marwan—report

The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force reportedly siffered its biggest loss in history after at least 30 of members were killed in a firefight against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao on Sunday.  

 

In a report by GMA News stringer Ferdinandh Cabrera on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Monday, surviving members of PNP's elite group said that they were overpowered by and surrounded with the rebel forces in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano when they tried to serve an arrest warrant.  

The SAF men were after suspected Malaysian bomb maker and Jemaah Islamiyah member Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as "Marwan." The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has offered a $5-million reward for information that will lead to  Marwan's arrest. 

 

PNP-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao director Senior Superintendent Noel Armilla said that the police managed to arrest Marwan. 

 

"Nakuha na nila 'yung target but when they were about to leave the area, they were engaged by lawless elements doon sa marshland area," he said. 

 

Armilla also said that the number of police officers killed reached to 50. 

 

No coordination 

 

Different agencies stressed that the PNP-SAF did not inform them that the group would carry out an arrest warrant. 

 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that it was not involved with the firefight. 

 

"No military units were involved in the fighting… The AFP helped the PNP in extricating police casualties of this morning's encounter while the PNP conducted operations against lawless elements and in carrying our a warrant of arrest," military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said. 

 

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal also said the clash was triggered by lack of coordination on the SAF operation.

 

"There was no coordination, (nasagasaan din nila ang tropa namin) and they also engaged our troops nearby aside from the BIFF, that's how the bloody war started today," he said. 

 

Because of the clash, the Senate suspended the hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. () 

 

Government's peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer also said that the incident could have been prevented through better coordination. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News