PNP-BOI report details what happened to the 55th SAC during Oplan Exodus

The Mamasapano operation on Jan. 25, dubbed Oplan Exodus, downed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.

Thirty-five of the casualties were from the 55th Special Action Company, which served as the blocking force of the assault team, the 84th Special Action "Seaborne" Company.

 

The 55th SAC only had one survivor, PO2 Christopher Lalan, who recalled the final moments of his comrades to the PNP Board of Inquiry. 

 

He told the BOI that the 55th SAC departed from General Santos City on the eve of the operation.

The troopers then walked kilometers from their drop-off point to the target site. Unlike the 84th Seaborne, this unit didn't have a guide. 

 

When the 84th Seaborne reached the target area at 4 a.m., the 55th SAC was on its way to Waypoint 12, crossing three rivers and bamboo bridge. Then, they heard the bursts of fire from the target area.

 

They positioned themselves in a cornfield but were spotted by a man. To keep him from revealing their presence, the elite police officers decided to held the man tightly.

 

Then, they made their way back to the other side of the bridge to block resistance and to make it easier for them to withdraw.

 

But another man shouted at them when they were about to cross the bridge, forcing them to go back to the cornfield and take a defensive position. 

 

Armed men then started to move towards them. 

 

The 55th SAC informed the tactical command post about their situation. The reply the troopers received: "Pag na-identify na kalaban at may dalang baril, 'wag nang palapitin at i-engage na."

 

This message was from then SAF Director Getulio Napañas coursed through the radio operator. 

 

The men then started firing at the 55th SAC at 5:30 a.m. They were hit by heavy gunfire, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and M203 grenades from different directions.  

 

No one in the 55th SAC got hurt during the initial firefight but the shooting started as the sun was rising, which compromised their location. 

As they were situated in the cornfield, the SAF commandos only had tall corn plants for cover throughout the hours-long firefight. 

 

Lalan said that at 2 p.m., most of his comrades were severely injured or dead while he continued to fight for his life and finally made it home. — Trisha Macas/JDS, GMA News