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Jan 25, of course, is the fateful day of the Mamasapano clash, when 44 PNP-SAF cops died in during a mission to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman.
“An exchange of text messages on Jan. 25 between resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and President Benigno Aquino III showed the President has been informed of the Mamasapano clash as early as 5:45 a.m.,” reports GMAnetwork.com.
Purisima was updating the President until 6:20pm that Sunday.
Read the transcript of SMS, which was published by ABS-CBNnews.com, below:
5:45AM
“Sir good morning, for info, SAF elements implemented oplan vs high value targets. as of now, result indicate that marwan was killed and 1 saf trooper wounded; body of marwan left behind but pictures were taken; troopers are now withdrawal phase and progress report to follow.
7:36AM
PNOY: Why was it left behind? the other two targets?
7:48AM
PURISIMA: Sir, accordingly, when nearest target from the line of approach is M1, and when they hit the primary target, the other house where Basit Usman was located, reacted and fired at troopers… there were about 15-20 armed elements, it was about 4:30am and it was decided that they pull out after gathering pictures and other evidence, they were not able to reach secondary target, sir.
7:59AM
PNOY: If i remember correctly, 160 SAF troopers involved plus provisions for other pnp and afp units to assist, terrain is flat and clear as opposed to upland, forested or jungle terrain. why could they not contain/overwhelm the 15-20 opposing force? are they still in contact with the other two targets? if not, and opposing force escaped, are we now back to square one?
8:17AM
PURISIMA: they are presently in contact with reinforcing elements with BIFF, the containment forces are in contact right now, they are supported by mechanized and artillery support sir…
8:18AM
PURISIMA: the local target Basit and his group, the first group engaged by main effort group.
8:41AM
PNOY: review your earlier and latest texts they differ on which was engaged first.
8:45AM
PURISIMA: the first target was M1, where they were able to neutralize, the group of basit retaliated which was 100m away.
10:16AM
PNOY: Basit should not get away
11:38AM
PURISIMA: Sir, as of the moment the main effort is withdrawing, we still have contact and we will hit them again.
6:20PM
PURISIMA: Sir, latest report from operating elements in Maguindanao say, that securuity elements engaged by MILF/BIFF, suffered heavy casualties, reportedly overrun, CCCH and IMT in the area retrieving casualties, the main effort is still in the process of rendezvous with other SAF and AFP elements.
The operation turned bloody when members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said they had to fight back because the PNP-SAF had breached their territory. They alleged that they had not been informed about the operation to get Marwan and Usman. The hostile encounter lasted 11 hours. The MILF lost 18 of their fighters.
Both the government and the MILF are currently doing probes on the Mamsapano encounter to determine what went wrong, as the incident threatens the Bangsamoro peace deal.
Photo: Robert Viñas/Malacañang Photo Bureau
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