AN investigation into the death of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last Sunday has been launched by the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6th ID), a person familiar with the decision told reporters on Thursday.
The military is conducting its own investigation, wanting to know whether it acted appropriately or even enough that could have otherwise saved the lives of members of the Philippine National Police or at least backed them up, according to a 6th ID officer who requested anonymity to freely discuss the matter.
“It’s through the direction of the higher command, Army and the General Headquarters that we are holding a Board of Inquiry on what have we done in order to mitigate the incident,” the officer said.
In the aftermath of the ambush of Special Action Force (SAF) personnel, questions were also being directed against the soldiers and against their conscience, with the answer that had they heeded the pleas for help by the commandos, SAF personnel, or most of them, would still be alive today, according to the officer.
The policemen were already moving out from serving a warrant of arrest against Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir and bomb expert Bassit Usman when they were mowed down by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front at Barangay, Tukanalipao, Mamasapano.
During the incident, the commandos were appealing for reinforcement from soldiers but the military earlier claimed the operation was not coordinated with its officials. However, Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin said the operating policemen sounded off with military commanders in the area.
The source said the focus of the probe of the 6th ID, which is based in Maguindanao, were the circumstances surrounding the carnage.
The person who spoke with reporters said the probe would also look into the role of the 6th ID in the incident.
The Army’s investigation is separate from the Board of Inquiry that the leadership of the PNP has created. The latter is now looking into possible lapses in police operations.
Other than determining whether the military acted appropriately out of the ambush, officials also wanted to come up with measures to avoid a repeat of the incident.
The principal reason that had been blamed over the late reaction or the delayed action of the military in reinforcing the SAF personnel was the ongoing peace talks with the MILF.
The Association of General and Flag Officers has no control over the members of the MILF, a person familiar with the matter said.
This was also being eyed as the reason US soldiers were the first to reach the site of the carnage and reportedly evacuated the dead and the wounded.
“They [Americans] are not allowed to join operations but we asked for their help because they have all the assets to provide the medical evacuation,” Gazmin said.
Aside from the dead, 12 other SAF personnel were also wounded during the ambush.
The remains of 42 of the 44 commandos arrived on Thursday at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. The bodies were given a mournful arrival honors ceremony.
PNP Officer in Charge and Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. led police, military and even government officials in receiving the bodies, along with the grieving family members of the killed policemen.