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TRANSCRIPT: Mar's text messages to Espina, Napeñas during Mamasapano clash

Patricia Lourdes Viray - The Philippine Star

March 4, 2015 | 4:09pm

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas recently submitted to the Board of Inquiry the text messages he received and sent regarding the Mamasapano operation last January 25.

A report from ABS-CBN News bared the exchange of text messages between Roxas, Philippine National Police Officer-in-Charge Leonardo Espina and relieved Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas during the day of the operation against high-value targets Zhulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman.

During the separate inquiries of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Roxas insisted that he was not informed of the Mamasapano operation.

Roxas first received a text message from Director Charles Calima on 7:43 a.m. on January 25, informing him of the progress of the operation.

7:43 a.m. - Calima to Roxas:

From Director SAF in the field, si-re on-going opns agst high value targets >>> FOR: OIC PNP FROM DSAF: update re opns against HVTs. Based on the report of the ME, JI@Marwan was neutralized but the body was left behind due to heavy volume of fire and 1 wounded SAF trooper.

The containment blocking force was engage 2 kms east if Tukalanipao GC 6800665717. There was heavy firefight & SAF troops suffered casualties. Extraction is on-going & support from the AFP was requested.

Roxas to Calima:

Noted re SAF Operation. Going to Zambo now. Please get more details re SAF Operation.

Roxas then forwarded the information to President Benigno Aquino III.

Sir, just received this. Am getting more details.

Aquino to Roxas:

Thank you.

Espina to Roxas:

NOC SMS Ref #1501-25306. Member of Jemaah Islamiyah reportedly neutralized in Mamasapano (txt msg from DSAF rcvd on 7:34AM 25 Jan). OOA 2:30AM, Jan 25, 2015, PNP SAF Troopers supported by Maguindanao PPO.

10:36 a.m. - Roxas to Espina:

Ok noted since Marwan body reportedly left behind, is there any video or foto or DNA or personal effects retrieved to verify his death.

Espina to Roxas:

Am asking Dir SAF now sir.

10:40 a.m. - Roxas to Espina:

Yes PNoy getting other reports that are conflicting with each other. Example: 160 daw SAF, 20 daw hostiles so why did they retreat eh 8:1 ang ratio.

Espina to Roxas:

Yes Sir. Sir from Dir SAF: Affirmative sir, pictures including DNA samples.

10:42 a.m. Roxas to Espina:

Ah good. And something to compare it so we can verify.

Espina to Roxas:

Copy po sir. Relayed to Dir SAF dir. Sir. from Dir SAF: Sir the hostilities in the area are much more than our troops & the nearby mixed armed groups were quick to reinforce.

12:28 p.m. Roxas to Espina:

Anyway, linawin lang kung ano talaga storya. I know "fog of war" effect so pls have them sit and ikwento nila sa isang professional na debriefer/investigator

4:09 p.m. Espina to Roxas:

Sir FM Gen Rusty Guerrero, Cmdr Westmincomm >> FM Gen Galvez, CHR GPH CCCH: Proceeding na kami sa area sir. The Joint CCCH IMT and AHJAG with teh LGU's will retrieve the reported 26 cadavers on both sides of the river (Note: Sir, I asked him if there was coord made with them on the opns. Wala din daw sir coord sa afp. Walang nakakaalam ng opn except SAF sir)

6:32 p.m. - Roxas to Espina and PDDG Marcelo Garbo Jr.:

Hi Dindo (cc Garbo). Meron bang concept of operation ito. Where would it be. Pls look for it. Btw as of now as per Westmincomm, deathtoll has reached 32.

6:32 p.m. - Napeñas to Roxas:

Sir good pm. The original strength we prepared for this opn was 252 then we increased the strenth to 382 based on the guidance to increase force to be utilized. The target Marwan was confirmed dead by PSUPT TRAIN & got pictures & DNA sample. On the extraction lawless elements engaged the SAF troops.

6:51 p.m. - Roxas to Napeñas:

Hi Leo this is Mar. Got ur message. Tanung. Per ur text. Of the 382 total force, roughly 70 are either dead (32) or being pursued and still in the field (36). What happened to the balance of 310 or so?

7:00 p.m. - Napeñas to Roxas:

Sir the remaining troops were sent to rescue the pers being pursued by the enemies together with the Army 7 rest were on a buffer zone to prevent the extraction position & exfil route.

7:12 p.m. Roxas to Napeñas:

OK. Keep calm and keep ur head. 'Di natin pababayaan tropa natin. PNoy gave guidance to AFP Westmincom.

The Senate earlier issued a subpoena to telecommunications companies ordering them to produce the exchange of text messages between Aquino resigned PNP chied Alan Purisima during the day of the Mamasapano clash.

The text messages will be used by the Senate to complete its committee report on the Mamasapano incident which led to the death of 44 police commandos during an encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.