“Considering everything, I believe the Mamasano massacre happened because of presidential neglect”
I was down the past two weeks with mild pneumonia (“an old man’s best friend”) and I had a lot of time to watch television. I watched several Netflix movies , including the film “Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told.”
I had expected a glamorized movie on that tragedy where 44 members of the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Force, well trained with the needed skills and equipment by the United States Navy Seals.
I had expected a Hollywood-type version of the tragedy, but I was surprised it was factual.
In fact, it is a Philippine version of the massacre which depicted Edu Manzano as Benjamin Magalong, conducting a board inquiry as then CIDG chief. Magalong is now mayor of Baguio City.
The inquiry pointed out the effort to apprehend Marwan started at Malacanang with President Aquino planning the apprehension of the infamous Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir (also known as Marwan), who was reported to be hiding in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Marwan had a US bounty on his head. Marwan was the maker of bombs delivered for usage to several terrorist groups.
Aquino planned the capture of Marwan with former police chief Alan Purisima, who at that time was under suspension.
It was Purismina who wanted the SAF to neutralize Marwan.
The movie then showed 44 SAF having located the hiding place of Marwan in Mamasapano, attacking at night, before under the cover of darkness.
The SAF succeeded in killing Marwan and cut off his finger to give proof that Marwan was indeed killed by the SAF.
But the other terrorist Usman managed to escape. Thus, the 44 SAF members continued to pursue the other terrorist.
Surrounded
After daybreak, the SAF members found themselves in a cornfield, but unfortunately surrounded by combined forces of MILF and BIFF.
Thus, a firefight ensued till late in the afternoon.
The SAF did not have a chance, being surrounded by the combined force of the MILF and the BIFF.
The CIDG report then showed there were attempts by the SAF to get help from a camp of the Armed Forces located not far away from where the SAF were fighting.
Records showed President Aquino was in Zamboanga City having photo-ops with the force of Filipino soldiers and US soldiers that repelled the Abu Sayyaf from taking over a section of the city.
There was an attempt by the Abu Sayyaf from nearby Basilan island.
As shown by the CIDG inquiry, Mar Roxas was also there in Zamboanga City in the company of Aquino.
It was sad to note the Secretary of Interior and Local Government Roxas was totally unaware of the predicament of the SAF because he was not informed at all.
Records showed as Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, Aquino could have easily ordered the military to help the beleaguered SAF.
But, nothing happened to help the SAF, who were being killed one by one.
It appeared peace proceedings were going on between peace process officials and the higher-ups of the MILF.
Questions, questions
These questions came up in the CIDG inquiry: Why didn’t Aquino order the AFP soldiers to support the SAF?
Was it true that Aquino was afraid to order the AFP to help the SAF because that would endanger the peace process?
The answer to these questions lies in the fact that Aquino, according to rumors, was after a Nobel Peace Prize, for settling the resistance movement among the Muslims in Mindanao.
If that was the case, it appeared Aquino was willing to sacrifice the 44 SAF for a much coveted Nobel Peace Prize award.
Other questions cropped up like, who got the $2 million bounty on Marwan? And why was Purisima involved when he was under suspension?
Considering everything, I believe it happened because of presidential neglect.
The answers to these questions will never be answered, since Aquino died in his sleep in June 2021.