‘Purisima ordered PNP generals out of the loop’

Bea Cupin

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‘Purisima ordered PNP generals out of the loop’
(UPDATED) Suspended SAF commander Getulio Napeñas confirms he did not inform the police hierarchy of a high-level police operation early enough under the orders of suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The relieved commander of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) said that under the orders of relieved PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, he did not inform the police hierarchy of a high-level anti-terror operation in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.

In a press conference at Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 4, relieved SAF commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas said Purisima told him to only inform the officer in charge the PNP, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, after troops had entered the area on January 25.

Sinabihan ako mismo ni Director General Purisima na, ‘Sabihan mo si Deputy Director General Espina ‘pag nandoon na’ (Director General Purisima told me to inform Deputy Director General Espina when the troops are in the area already),” he said. 

Espina himself and Rappler sources have confirmed that the PNP OIC became aware of the operation after the troops entered the area, a known territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Espina said in a news briefing that he received a text message from Napeñas at 5:30 am on January 25 – an hour and a half after the SAF team had hit their target, and were already engaged in a firefight. The PNP OIC then asked for help from the Western Mindanao Command.

On January 25, almost 400 SAF troopers were in Mamasapano town to neutralize bomb maker and wanted terrorist  bomb maker and top terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or “Marwan,” and Abdul Basit Usman. Forty-four of the elite cops died as a result of a bloody battle against rebels who live in the area. 

Explaining why Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was also kept in the dark, Napeñas said he was merely “following the chain of command.” His job was to report to the PNP chief or the OIC. 

He also denied speculation that he coordinated directly with President Benigno Aquino III during the operation. The President earlier said that he instructed Napeñas to coordinate with other forces – the military included – before the operation. 

The relieved police general also denied the military’s statements that the PNP did not coordinate with them. It was the Armed Forces which stopped communication with the police force, he said, but clarified during the news conference his definition of “coordination.”

Coordination issues

Responding to questions, Napeñas explained why there was no prior coordination with the military on the day of “Oplan Exodus,” a SAF operation to neutralize Marwan.

Napeñas cited previous experience with the military involving a lack of commitment, and the fear of compromising a high-level operation, as among the reasons why he only chose to inform the military about the operation – through Espina – when they were already in a firefight with rebel forces.

Napeñas, who was sacked after the death of 44 of his men during the operation, told reporters coordination can mean before or during the operation, citing police operational rules. 

But the relieved police general also said the PNP had been coordinating with the military prior to the January 25 operation; the problem was, the Armed Forces of the Philippines had reportedly stopped committing to the operation against Marwan by April 2014. 

In June 2014, Napenas said, the military launched its own operation against Marwan without the PNP, but failed.

The January 25 operation, Napenas said, was successful since SAF troopers were able to kill Marwan. Government officials have refused to confirm Marwan’s death until after they receive DNA confirmation but Napeñas expressed certainty that his men had accomplished their mission.

Napenas said coordinating with the military prior to the operation also put it at risk, since military movement was easily monitored in the town, a known bailiwick of rebel forces. 

Coordination is only among the many issues and controversies surrounding the Mamasapano operation. The chain of command for the ill-fated operation remains hazy, as too many government officials including Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and the PNP OIC were kept in the dark. 

According to Rappler sources and news reports, it was relieved PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima who called the shots that day. Purisima had yet to answer the allegations. 

Napeñas’ statements aren’t too surprising. Earlier, Rappler reported that one of the possible reasons why police officials kept the military out of the January 25 operation is their long-running frustration over what they viewed as the military’s inaction against Marwan. 

The Mamasapano clash, however, has repercussions outside the PNP, AFP, and the sleepy Maguindanao town. Peace negotiations with the MILF, whose fighters were also involved in the blood bath, may be compromised as a result. 

The Philippines is at the tail end of a deal that seeks to establish a new autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao and end decades of armed conflict in the area. Rappler.com 

 

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.