Mamasapano police to investigate reported burning of Marwan hut

(Updated 10:21 a.m.) MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao - A team of investigators is set to conduct an investigation and documentation on Wednesday following reports that the house of suspected international terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan here was torched by armed men on Tuesday night.

In a phone interview, Senior Inspector Regie Albellera said his office received text messages and calls from village officials in Tukanalipao saying bright flames were visible at the hut of Marwan at around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The said hut is believed to be the scene where Marwan was neutralized by Philippine National Police-Special Action Force commandos on Jan. 25. 

 

Reports added that two more huts were also burned by armed elements several meters away.

 

Mamasapano police, however, could not say yet if the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or the 105th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were involved since the place is known to be their enclave.

Immaterial to PNP-BOI probe

In Cotabato City, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Director Benjamin Magalong said the reported burning of Marwan's hut would not affect the probe being conducted by the PNP Board of Inquiry on the deadly Mamasapano clash.

Magalong, who heads the BOI, told reporters that the reports, if true, are immaterial since the board had "no intention to visit the site" anyway. 

 

Exactly one month today, at least 67 people composed of 44 PNP-SAF, 18 MILF fighters and 5 civilians were killed in that fierce battle triggered by the arrest of Marwan in a covert police operation.

The said operation is now the center of controversy and put the peace process in jeopardy because of the suspension of congressional hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.— With a report from Jonathan de Santos/KG/RSJ, GMA News