Aquino won’t speak on Mamasapano until after board’s findings

Natashya Gutierrez

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Aquino won’t speak on Mamasapano until after board’s findings
Malacañang also defends President Benigno Aquino III from calls to resign, saying he has been truthful to the people on the events that transpired in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines – Don’t expect President Benigno Aquino III to respond to unanswered questions on the Mamasapano incident anytime soon – at least until the police Board of Inquiry completes its report.

Asked whether the President would face the public again regarding the clash, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the board, formed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), is currently looking into the details of the clash between their Special Action Force (SAF) troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which led to the death of 44 elite cops

He added it is best to wait for their findings. (READ: CIDG chief heads PNP’s Mamasapano probe)

“It is good to know the complete story, to listen to the testimonies of PNP-SAF troops who were part of the actual mission, to better understand the full events in Maguindanano,” he told reporters on Wednesday, February 4.

“And in the proper time, the President is ready to again speak once the story is complete and the Board of Inquiry has done its job.”

The Palace’s statements came just hours after suspended PNP-SAF commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas Jr held a press conference to contradict the claim of the military that they were not informed of the exact location of the cops who needed reinforcement in the clash.

Earlier, in a national address, Aquino said Napeñas was at fault for not coordinating with the military despite his repeated reminders.

But Coloma gave assurances that “there is no disagreement or fighting between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP.”

He refused to comment on Napeñas claims that Aquino’s close friend and suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima was behind the deadly operation, only saying “it is hard to comment on hearsay, on something just heard or told as a story such as that statement.”

On January 25, some 392 SAF commandos entered Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, a known bailiwick of the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. They were targeting two “high value targets,” one of them alleged Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as “Marwan” who was allegedly killed in the operation – but also cost the lives of 44 SAF troopers. (READ: Dead or alive? Top terrorist was cops’ target)

Calls to resign

Coloma also defended Aquino from calls to resign following the killings, saying the President has been honest to the nation. This, after Aquino had admitted that he knew of the SAF’s plans to conduct a covert anti-terrorist operation in Maguindanao, but evaded questions on whether he gave the go signal for the operation, which was kept quiet from the military.

Aquino also admitted he was in touch with Purisima but only for help to “understand the jargon.” Purisima, a former SAF commander himself, was suspended in December 2014 over graft charges.

“President Aquino is determined to fulfill his promise to serve the country with full integrity and to complete his service until the very last day of his term,” Coloma said.

The Secretary said what is needed now is temperance and focus on the issues facing the nation specifically the fight against terrorism and long-lasting peace in Mindanao.

The incident occurred less than a year after the MILF signed a landmark peace deal with the Philippine government, and as lawmakers deliberate on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which seeks to create an autonomous region initially headed by the MILF.

The MILF blames the failure of the PNP-SAF team to coordinate with them for operations in known MILF territories, as provided for in an agreement with the government. – Rappler.com

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Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.