Military fed SAF company on the road before entering Mamasapano clash site, says official

An officer from the Philippine Army who led the reinforcement for the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force during the January 25 Mamasapano clash on Wednesday said they first fed the SAF company waiting at the roadside during the incident before they entered the clash site.
 

At the continuation of the House hearing on the incident, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Bannoya Jr. of the 61st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) recounted that they shared the food they had on them with the members of the 45th Special Action Company while they were waiting for the signal to enter the site at around 5:30 p.m.

 

Bannoya said, "From that point, pag-observe namin ng white phosphorus, nakapagbigay na kami ng location namin. Pagabi na 'yun, kailangang makakuha ng defensive position. Bumalik ako sa area malapit sa kalsada para makapag-briefing at mapagplanuhan para paano pasukin ang [55th] SAC."

 

He added: "Sinabi ko sa 45th [SAC] na, 'Doon muna tayo dahil hindi pa ito defensible.' Kumain muna kami at pinakain namin ang SAF kung anong meron kami. Pinakain namin sila ng kung anong dala namin, kasi umaga hanggang hapon wala pa silang kain."

 

He added that after sharing the meal, where he was able to talk to SAF officers, three platoons from the military and one from SAF moved in after a signal was given to them.

 

The 45th SAC was among the three SAF companies that Sen. Antonio Trillanes wanted the PNP to investigate on for staying idle in their respective positions despite being ordered to help the beleaguered members of the 55th SAC. 

 

During the interpellation by Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Sr. Sgt. Whiler Jaranilla of the DRC said they found the 45th SAC lying on their stomachs near banana trees when they got there in the afternoon.

 

"Nadatnan namin ang 45th SAF nakadapa sa may gilid ng sagingan. Niyaya ko sila na tawirin ang ilog para marating ang 55th SAC. Ayaw nila magsama hanggang naabutan ako ng 1:30 p.m. Tinawagan ako na mag-link up... para kumuha ng bagong instruction," he said.

 

Alejano then asked, "Pagdating mo ba du'n binabaril sila? That's the reason why they said they were not able to move forward."

 

Jaranilla replied: "Sa lokasyon namin sa 45th, walang pumuputok. Naririnig lang namin sa 55th."

 

The representative then pointed out, "Ang layo ng 45th ay 700 meters away from the position of the 55th. Hindi aabutin kahit barilin. Kaya nga inaalam ko kung pinapaputukan ba kayo kaya 'di kayo maka-move forward?"

 

The officer answer, "Du'n lang sa ilog. Ayaw naman nila tumawid ng ilog para makarating sa 55th SAC na nakaengkwentro."

 

During the clash, more than 120 SAF commandos involved in the Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano failed to come to the aid of their engaged comrades.

 

All but one among the members of the 55th SAC survived after they found themselves being shot at by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in an open cornfield.

 

Trillanes said the Army officers told the Senate inquiry on the incident that the 45th SAC, as well as the 41st and the 42nd companies, lied when they said they were also being fired upon and couldn't comply with then-SAF commander Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr.'s order to move in. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News