Oplan Exodus: Euphoria turns to overwhelming grief

MANILA, Philippines - From the initial euphoria following the killing of Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, the mood at the tactical post command in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao shifted to overwhelming grief as news of dozens of casualties trickled in on Jan. 25.

At 5:48 a.m., Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina congratulated Special Action Force (SAF) chief Director Getulio Napeñas after police commandos confirmed they were able to neutralize Marwan.

In between calls for reinforcement, Napeñas received congratulatory messages from his higher-ups and colleagues, including one message that said, “Hope we can turn the tide with the arrival of the AFP reinforcement. (The mission) came with a cost.”

As efforts to call for reinforcements continued, sources bolstered earlier reports that President Aquino had been informed about developments on the ground since 5 a.m.

At about 10 a.m., Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II inquired about details on Marwan’s death, including whether the assault team got pictures and DNA samples that would later be used to verify his identity. At around the same time, Roxas informed Napeñas that the President was seeking clarification on the number of casualties and troops on the ground.

According to sources, information indicating a high number of casualties was provided at about 8 a.m. This later raised questions on the military’s alleged failure to provide reinforcements amid reports that Aquino was constantly updated about the developments in the operation.

Since 5:30 a.m., members of the 84th Seaborne Company, SAF’s strike force that assaulted Marwan’s lair and fatally shot him on the chest, were having a hard time pulling out as they were being attacked by armed men.

It was around 6:13 a.m. when Napeñas informed Purisima that the 55th Special Action Company (SAC), or blocking force, was also having difficulty withdrawing from the enemy’s lair because they were under attack by heavy gunfire.

At 6:34 a.m., a SAF trooper sought help, asking his superior through text, “Request fire support from Army sir!”

Espina then facilitated the call for reinforcement from the Armed Forces through Western Mindanao commander Gen. Rustico Guerrero. At about 6:22 a.m., 6th Infantry Division commander Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan came into the picture.

There was urgency in the call for SOS throughout the morning of Jan. 25, despite assurances given by Napeñas that the military’s reinforcements were being coordinated with the higher-ups.

Napeñas assured his ground commander that the commanding officer of 601st Infantry Brigade and the 45th Infantry Battalion were providing reinforcements.

At 6:52 a.m., then SAF deputy commander Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño informed the PNP chief that the SAF troops were engaged in a firefight with armed men about two kilometers east of Barangay Tukanalipao.

Surrounded by enemies

Sources privy to the ongoing investigation on the Mamasapano incident revealed that there were numerous calls for help as the team at the tactical command post in Shariff Aguak received reports from the field that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had started consolidating forces.

This was as early as 7:12 a.m. According to reports, the MILF 118th and 105th base commands started to muster strength, apparently upon sensing the presence of SAF men in their areas.

At 7:26 a.m., Espina was informed that Marwan had been neutralized by SAF troopers. “Marwan was neutralized but his body was left behind due to heavy volume of fire.” The message also mentioned the firefight between the containment force and armed men in Tukanalipao.

“Extraction is ongoing and support from the AFP was requested,” the report to Espina added.

From 7:37 a.m. until late morning, Napeñas had provided the grid coordinates of his men who were pinned between enemy lines.