US drone helped locate PNP-SAF in Mamasapano —source

A drone sent by the United States was key in locating pinned Philippine National Police Special Action Force units during the recent Mamasapano operation where 44 elite lawmen were killed, “24 Oras” reported on Wednesday.

 

According to the GMA News source, the US sent a drone to Mamasapano, Maguindanao after the PNP-SAF asked for support.

The US Embassy in a statement has denied the participation of US forces in the operation.

 

The drone was successful in locating the SAF's 84th Company that neutralized suspected terrorist Zulkfli bi Hir alias Marwan but was trapped in the area due to the surrounding armed men.

 

With the information gathered from the grid coordinates sent by the drone, authorities launched a support force composed of SAF members and the military, the source said.

 

It was around 11 p.m. on January 25 when the support force located the SAF's 84th company and conducted exfiltration procedures.

 

Around 4 a.m. on January 26, the rescue team along with the 84th SAF company reached Mamasapano's main highway. There were 8 dead, 11 injured and 17 survivors from the 84th SAF company.

 

The operation ended with the PNP-SAF reporting that Marwan was neutralized.

 

But Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman managed to escape.

 

Meanwhile, Philippine Army 6th ID Spokesperson Capt. Jo-anne Petinglay said the two targets have been selling Improvised Explosive Devices for at least P5,000.

 

“Nagkakaroon na nga ng IED for sale dito sa area namin. Hindi lang naman siguro dito sa ibang lugar din sa Mindanao. Dahil gawa na may mga trainings na ginagawa itong grupo nila Marwan, Basit Usman na nagtuturo nga sila doon sa locals kung paano gumawa ng IED,” Petinglay said.

 

On January 25, the Philippine Government launched a massive operation against two notorious international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao which was a known moro rebel stronghold.

 

Some 400 elite lawmen from the PNP's SAF branch conducted the operation but at least 44 were killed and 12 were injured after a support unit was allegedly flanked by armed rebels. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News