MANILA, Philippines – Members of an independent police board formed to probe a botched police operation that claimed the lives of 67 people were awarded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, March 23.

Members of the Board of Inquiry (BOI), led by its chairman Police Director Benjamin Magalong, were given the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod (PNP Special Service Medal) for their “meritorious and invaluable service in the field of police operations.” Also awarded were Police Director Catalino Rodriguez and Chief Superintendent John Sosito, both members of the BOI.

The Medalya ng Kasanayan (PNP Efficiency Medal) was awarded to other members of the BOI and the Operational Audit team for their “for exceptionally meritorious and invaluable service rendered” in the BOI’s 6-week-long probe into the now-controversial “Oplan Exodus.”

The following were also awarded:

1. PSSUPT ROBERT G. PO, as Chairman of Operational Audit Team;
2. PSSUPT RONALD M. DELA ROSA, as Member of Operational Audit Team;
3. PSSUPT CESAR HAWTHORNE R. BINAG, as Member of Operational Audit Team;
4. PSSUPT BENIGNO B. DURANA, as Member of Operational Audit Team;
5. PSSUPT RUDY G. LACADIN, as Head of BOI Report;
6. PSUPT DANILO P. MACERIN, as Head Secretariat of BOI;
7. PSUPT ARTHUR V. BISNAR, as Security Officer of BOI;
8. PSUPT ANGELES B. GEÑORGA JR., as Secretariat of BOI;
9. PSUPT MARLON A. TAYABA, as Secretariat of BOI;
10. PSUPT NIÑO DAVID RABAYA, OIC Investigation Division of CIDG;
11. PCI DAVID JOY B. DUARTE, as Secretariat of Operational Audit Team;
12. PINSP HELEN DELA CRUZ, as Secretariat of Operational Audit Team; and
13. ATTY. VIRGILIO T. PABLICO, Acting Chief, Legal Division of CIDG.

The BOI was the first to come out with a detailed report on the bloody incident which took the lives of 5 civilians, 18 Muslim rebels, and 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

The report pinned down at least 3 officials as main players in the carnage in Mamasapano: relieved SAF chief Police Director Getulio Napeñas, suspended and now-resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, and President Benigno Aquino III.

The BOI said that Aquino had “bypassed” the PNP’s chain of command when he dealt with Napeñas directly instead of going through PNP OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. The board also said Aquino “allowed” the participation of his friend Purisima, despite the latter’s preventive suspension over a graft case.

Aquino and the executive branch did not react well to the report, with Magalong himself noting that the President was “hurt” over their findings. Magalong said the BOI would not change its findings, despite any “pressures” that come their way.

A week after the BOI report was released, the Senate committee probing the incident came out with its own report which said Aquino as “ultimately liable” for the carnage in Mamasapano.

The clash has put at risk the peace agreement between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law now encountering strong opposition from lawmakers. The MILF lost 18 of their members in the clash, which also involved fighters from the MILF breakaway group the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups.

Aquino’s trust and approval ratings dipped to their lowest in the wake of the bloody clash, with majority of Filipinos saying his explanation has thus far not been enough, according to a nationwide survey. – Rappler.com