Reported burning of Marwan’s hut immaterial to Mamasapano probe – CIDG chief Magalong

COTABATO CITY – The reported burning of huts, including that used by suspected Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, in a remote area in Mamasapano, Maguindanao will not affect the PNP-Board of Inquiry looking into the bloody Jan. 25 clash between elite police commandos and combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Director Benjamin Magalong, BOI chairman and chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, told reporters here that the reports, if true, are immaterial since the board had "no intention to visit the site" anyway.

^{The hut (background) in Sitio Pembalkan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao where wanted Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was killed was reportedly burned down by unidentified persons on Tuesday night, February 24, just hours after the PNP Board of Inquiry on the Mamasapano clash left the encounter site. Mamasapano LGU}
 

According to an earlier report, officials of Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town alerted police Tuesday night of bright flames in the area where Marwan, was said to be killed in a police operation on Jan.25.

 

The BOI was in the area on Tuesday to inspect the clash site.

A total of 44 PNP-Special Action Force commandos and 18 MILF fighters were killed in the clash.

 

The visit coincided with reports that members of the BIFF might withdraw to the area after coordinated operations against them by the Army and the MILF. — RSJ, GMA News