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‘Marwan was killed around 4:15 a.m.’ —CIDG chief Magalong
By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA News
(Updated 12:08 p.m.) Wanted terrorist Jemaah Islamiyah member Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan was killed around 4:15 a.m. on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Philippine National Police-Crime Investigation and Detection Group chief Benjamin Magalong, chair of the PNP Board of Inquiry, told a Senate committee hearing on Monday.
Recounting the events that transpired during the Mamasapano clash between the PNP-Special Action Force and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, based on the board's initial findings, Magalong said Marwan's death was followed by heavy firefight.
There were 392 SAF troopers and nine groups involved in the operation against Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman, said Magalong, a former SAF member himself.
The PNP SAF's mission was to serve the warrants of arrest to Marwan and Usman—who were confirmed to be hiding in the area.
He said that Mamasapano town was a lair of the notorious BIFF.
Magalong said the other units—except for the 84th Seaborne—were not able to reach their designated area due to "tremendous power and firepower and strength" of the rebels.
Recounting the events that transpired during the Mamasapano clash between the PNP-Special Action Force and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, based on the board's initial findings, Magalong said Marwan's death was followed by heavy firefight.
There were 392 SAF troopers and nine groups involved in the operation against Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman, said Magalong, a former SAF member himself.
The PNP SAF's mission was to serve the warrants of arrest to Marwan and Usman—who were confirmed to be hiding in the area.
He said that Mamasapano town was a lair of the notorious BIFF.
Magalong said the other units—except for the 84th Seaborne—were not able to reach their designated area due to "tremendous power and firepower and strength" of the rebels.
Marwan, who has a $5 million bounty on his head, reportedly died during the clash, while Usman managed to escape.
The operation was concluded with the help of the army around 11:30 p.m., said Magalong.
The January 25 incident resulted to the deaths of the 44 elite policemen, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and four civilians.
The January 25 incident resulted to the deaths of the 44 elite policemen, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and four civilians.
"We should honor the 44 heroes and 15 wounded… The board of inquiry was tasked to give justice to the heroes by seeking the truth," Magalong added.
Magalong's presentation was based on 374 interviews that the 46 investigators conducted for about a total of 5,000 hours.
Aside from the interviews, it was also based on sworn statements and special reports submitted by the PNP SAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Aside from the interviews, it was also based on sworn statements and special reports submitted by the PNP SAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Who are Marwan and Usman?
According to Magalong, Marwan has been involved in multiple bombing incidents including the deadly Bali, Indonesia bombing in 2002 that killed 202 civilians.
In the Philiippines, Marwan was tagged in the death of 44 civilians due to bombing.
As for Usman, Magalong said he was a key commander in BIFF. He was also a bomb-making expert, and trains his members in assembling and planting bombs. He faces a number of arrest warrants in connection to bombing incidents.
His bombs have killed 17 people, Magalong added.
The police has conducted 10 operations against Marwan, and only one—the bloody January 25 incident—has been successful.
"The notoriety of Marwan and Usman is clear. They are high-value and priority targets. Their capture is legitimately pursued by the state," the police director said. —KG, GMA News
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