MANILA, Philippines — The investigation by the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) on the Mamasapano incident showed that the “fatal shot” that hit Zulkifli bin Hir also known as “ Marwan” was fired at close range while he was lying on the floor.
Marwan was one of two targets of the police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 44 members of the Philippine National Police -Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), 17 MILF men and three other civilians dead. The other target was suspected bomber Abdul Basit Usman, who escaped.
A 35-page report of the MILF submitted to the Senate on Tuesday said that during the ocular inspection, the MILF’s Special Investigative Commission that conducted the investigation found that there were few bullet holes on the wall of the hut where Marwan was found and killed.
“The trajectory of the bullets also indicate that the fatal shot did not come from the shots fired outside the house as the bullet holes are roughly 18 inches above the floor,” it said.
“If the shots were fired while Marwan was lying down, he could not have been hit while if he was standing and engaged the elements of the SAF in firefight, the injuries sustained should have been at his lower body and not on the chest.”
“There are also no bullet holes on the floor of the hut. In all likelihood, the fatal shot must have been fired at close range and while Marwan was lying on the floor,” the report said.
The MILF report also noted that the area near the hut, there were no indications of bomb explosions as there were no craters on the ground around the hut.
“Neither is there an indication of an intense firefight in or around the hut,” it said.
The MILF repeatedly denied protecting Marwan and Usman. AC