BOI report: 5 of 44 slain SAF troopers given ‘coup de grâce’

 PHOTO FROM PNP

MANILA, Philippines—Five of the slain 44 Special Action Force troopers were given “coup de grâce,” or final deathblows by their attackers, who most likely came from Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the board of inquiry said in its report.

Among the five was Police Officer 3 Joseph Sagonoy, the SAF commando who was finished off by a gunman shown in a video that went viral.

In the last section of the “Discussion and Analysis” chapter of the BOI’s Mamasapano report, it said that the individuals responsible for the death of Sagonoy “might (be) members of the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front).”

READ: The Mamasapano incident full report

The SAF troopers encountered in the Jan. 25 operation fighters from MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private army groups. Forty-four died from the SAF side while 18 were killed from MILF.

“The video showed an unidentified individual shooting Sagonoy while he was still alive. Notably, Sagonoy’s firearm, a Ferfrans SOAR caliber 5.56 rifle with serial number FF01051, was subsequently surrendered by the MILF to the PNP. This might indicate that the individuals responsible for Sagonoy’s death, as shown in the video, are members of the MILF,” it said.

This was supported by statements the BOI gathered from Mamasapano Mayor Benzar Ampatuan, village chief Esmael Asim and a councilor.

“There are indications from the records that the counter forces against the SAF in the Mamasapano incident were from the MILF,” it said.

The BOI said the local officials mentioned “stated that the municipality of Mamasapano is composed of 70-80 percent members of the MILF.”

It added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had confirmed that the cornfield, where the 55th Special Action Company was pinned down, was “within the area of MILF’s 105th Base Command led by Zacaria Goma.”

Finishing blows

One of the findings in the BOI report was four SAF commandos were shot at close-range “while they were still alive” based on autopsy reports.

PO4 Victoriano Acain, Chief Insp. John Garry Erana, Senior Insp. Rennie Tayrus and Sagonoy were given final deathblows.

Meanwhile, 55th SAC commander Chief Insp. Ryan Pabalinas and PO3 Oliebeth Viernes were shot when they were already dead.

Eleven others appear to have been killed in the same manner. The remaining 28 others sustained fatal injuries consistent with a firefight involving high-powered firearms.

“The aforementioned findings indicate that the forces encountered by the SAF intentionally wounded and killed the SAF troopers, delivered deathblows at close range to some, and stole their equipment and personal belongings,” it said.

The BOI said the acts of the attackers “constitute a crime of murder under the Philippine Revised Penal Code and a clear violation of Republic Act no 9851, an act defining and penalizing crimes against humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity, organizing jurisdiction, designating special courts and for related purposes.”

16 officers

The 16 officers who suffered multiple fatal gunshot wounds (GSW) to the head and multiple shots to trunks were:

Chief Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, 55th SAC—He suffered 16 GSWs to the head, trunk, neck and extremities.

“It appears likely that he was either not wearing his vest, or such vest was intentionally removed from his body before the fatal shots were delivered,” the BOI said.

PO3 Oliebeth Viernes, 55th SAC—Six GSWs in the head and thorax

PO2 Amman Esmula, 55th SAC—Thirteen GSWs to the head, trunk and extremities

“The trajectories of the GSWs indicate that almost all shots were delivered while he was lying on the ground,” it said.

Senior Insp. Gednat Tabdi, 84th SAC—One fatal GSW to the head

“The single shot was witnessed by his comrades while the 84th SAC was engaged in a firefight.”

SPO2 Acob Jr. Rodrigo Fernandez, 84th SAC—Acob, like his commanding officer Tabdi, died from a single GSW in the head while they were engaged in a firefight.

PO4 Virgel Villanueva, 84th SAC—Single GSW in the head inflicted during the firefight

PO4 Glenn Bedua, 55th SAC—Single GSW

“Shot can be considered a sniper fire.”

Metallic fragment

PO3 Peterson Carap, 84th SAC—Two GSW to the head and the left buttocks

“The trajectory indicated that the shot was delivered while he was lying on the ground and from a trajectory of the same level with his position,” the BOI said.

It added that a deformed metallic fragment was taken out from his thigh. The BOI said this indicated that “Tactical Casualty Combat Care” was applied before Carap died.

PO3 Jerry Kayob, 55th SAC—Single fatal shot to the head during firefight

PO2 Loreto Capinding II, 55th SAC—Single fatal shot to the head

The BOI said Capinding was shot while he was lying on his back.

PO2 Mark Lory Clemencio, 55th SAC—Single fatal shot to the head during firefight

Senior Insp. Joey Gamutan, 55th SAC—Two GSWs to the head during firefight, with fatal GSWs to the head inflicted at close range

PO4 Victoriano Acain, 55th SAC—Two GSWs to the head

“The cause of his death was the second GSW that made its point of entry at the parietal region causing fractures in the skull and lacerations on the brain. From this area, a lodged metal fragment was recovered. This indicates that the fatal shot was delivered at close-range,” the report said.

Senior Insp. Rennie Tayrus, 84th SAC—Three GSWs to the head, left buttock and left leg

The fatal shot in the head with smudging indicated that the shot was delivered at close range.

Senior Insp. John Garry Erana—Three GSWs to the head and extremities

Two of the shots, according to the BOI, indicate that Erana was standing or kneeling when he was shot.

PO3 Joseph Sagonoy, 55th SAC—Two shots in the head and left thigh

“The first fatal head wound entered through the left mandibular region directed posteriorwards and upwards causing laceration on the underlying soft tissues, muscles and brain, fracturing the mandibular bone as well as the base of the skull. From this area, a deformed fired bullet was recovered,” it said.

“The other GSWs entry is from the right perioral region near right side of the mouth, making an exit at the left parietal region.”

The recovered bullet indicated that shot was inflicted at close range.