Corporal Mike knew right away that he had hit the high value
targets. He had fired on several figures escaping to Lake Lanao under the
concealment of darkness in the early hours of October 16, 2017. The shots were
taken from a sniper position on the third floor of a building overlooking the
intersection leading to the hideaway of rebel leaders Isnilon Hapilon and
Omarkayam Maute. The surrounded fugitives were earlier anticipated to leave
their lair and make a dash towards the lake. Although it would take another
five hours or so until daylight to finally confirm the identities of the
targets, Corporal Mike already knew in his heart that he had shot dead the
Islamist rebels responsible for the siege of Marawi that lasted five months.
Corporal
Mike is an alias and his identity is a well-guarded secret. While the battle
for Marawi is over, for him, there is no real closure yet. He is a marked man,
sought by those who wish to retaliate. I don't know what he looks like. His
face was permanently concealed by a balaclava he kept on the entire duration of
our meeting. The only time he removed his dark glasses though, was to wipe the
moistening in his eyes. One particular question I had asked apparently hit
home. After composing himself, he apologized and said he had come to terms with
his situation already and had put everything behind him. But my question
brought it to light again. I had asked if he had any regrets.
The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on him. He would
have preferred that someone else had actually taken down the two rebel leaders.
He wished he had not been the one. He lives with the reality of being hunted.
Settling down is difficult. A normal life is almost impossible with the
constant threat on his life. There is no real peace of mind.
 |
| (photo credit to owner) |
He was chosen as a sniper for his temperament and
marksmanship. He wasn't part of the tactical sniper group deployed in key
locations all over Marawi under the JSOG. He was an essential member of the
Light Reaction Company (LRC), on the ground doing the heavy lifting,
methodically entering and clearing buildings and homes. He took part in the
takeover of Bato Mosque, one of the most crucial and bloodiest battles in the
entire siege.
(photo credit to owner)
He learned to watch out for himself, first and foremost. It
wasn't being selfish. If he put himself at risk, he would also put others at
risk. After a while, everything became routine, dangerous as it was. Another
day done, another day behind you. It was all in a day’s work. Effective methods
discovered became standard procedures and provided confidence with their
reapplication. Following SOPs ensured safety and effectivity when conducting
operations and clearing houses. He constantly set up sniper positions,
providing cover so that the other operators could sweep buildings under his
watchful eye. One structure at a time. One block at a time. While the
formidable enemy, not lacking in tenacity and cunning, remained relentless in
impeding their advance.
He must have bored hundreds of holes. He took pride in his
hole-making capabilities, the ability to apply just enough pressure so that the
dislodged fragments of concrete or cement would not spill over and attract
attention or to angle the holes so that he would not be exposed. In a joint
operation with another army unit, he was shoved away from his position after
completing his hole. A jihadist sprayed several shots in the same cavity and
the belligerent occupant was hit in the eye. Corporal Mike was spared.
"You say your prayers before and after each mission, not
during. Or in the quiet moments at rest. You are ready when it is time to
fight. You are prepared. Maigsi ang buhay. (Life is short)."
Credit to : Gabriel "Gabby" Malvar is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and photographer. This story was also published in Project Larawan, a visual archive of Malvar's storytelling adventures.
June 14, 2022
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