SAF survivor recalls moments of despair, courage during Mamasapano clash

A police officer of the Special Action Force who survived the Mamasapano clash on Tuesday recounted how he and fellows despaired during the day-long gunbattle in which 44 troopers were killed, but nevertheless continued to fight.

The SAF trooper told GMA 7 news program “24-Oras” that the men of his unit, the 84th Seaborne, were being picked off one by one by the opposing force.



“Sa time na yun puro lahat sigaw ng kasama ko ang naririnig ko. Umiiyak na, nagsisigaw na ng tulong,” he said.

His unit formed a circle, giving them security from any direction. “Akala ko tatlo na lang kami sa harap [ng formation] na buhay sa area na yun kasi yung nasa likod hindi na sila nagsasalita.”

The survivor, who had been wounded, said that it was at this point that they started to despair. “Lalo na nung mamatay na 'yung nasa tabi ko. Sabi ko sa isang kasama ko, 'Kunin mo 'yung baril niya ibigay mo sa akin.' Pinilit ko na kahit ang sakit sakit ng katawan ko,” he continued.

The opposition was increasing the pressure on the SAF men, with the enemy trying to assault their position. “Kapag babaril kami, naka-align 'yung mata namin doon sa front sight at rear sight namin. Pero 'yung nakita ko sa mga kalaban nung papalapit sila sa amin nakababa 'yung baril nila na pumuputok.”

He added, “Nakakatakot din yun kasi hindi mo alam kung tatama o hindi.”

Exhausted and out of ammunition, the SAF trooper said he and the remaining survivors were just about to give up when artillery support from the Philippine Army started landing at 5:30 p.m. “Doon na ako nabigyan ng pag-asa talaga na may pag-asa pa kaming mabuhay kasi nung magputok na 'yung artillery ng Army, unti-unti silang nag wiwithdraw. Unti-unti na lang 'yung pumuputok,” he said.

After they were extricated by allied troops to their base he realized that even with all the special training and equipment they had as an elite forces they were, nevertheless, just humans. “Pagkarating ko pa lang sa BDOC (base) namin, nakita ko 'yung sasakyan. Umupo agad ako. Niyakap kami ng mga opisyal namin.

“Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon kasi binigyan pa kami ng pangalawang buhay.”

The SAF trooper also shared how his emotions got the best of him when he attended the wake for the fallen 44, seven of whom were his classmates.

But despite all the fear, despair, and heartbreak, the SAF trooper said he was still willing to to do his duty. “Pag nagkaroon ulit ng operation against kay Basit Usman (the terrorist target that escaped the Mamasapano operation) sasama pa rin ako pag yun ang order ng taas.” — Andrei Medina/DVM GMA News