“He is liable for several reasons,” militant group says
(Eagle News) — The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan welcomed on Saturday the Ombudsman’s order to file criminal charges against former President Benigno Aquino III over the botched Mamasapano operation in 2015 that saw 44 members of the police’s elite Special Action Force killed, among others, saying he was indeed “liable” for several reasons.
In a statement, Bayan said Aquino, for one, “violated the (then-)suspension order of the Ombudsman by placing a suspended Gen. Alan Purisima in-charge of the operation” aimed at capturing internationally wanted terrorists, including Zulfikli Bin Hir alias Marwan.
Almost 400 SAF commandos were involved in the massive operation in November 2015, with 44 of them being killed after they were ambushed by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Several from the rebels’ side and civilians were also killed in the firefight that lasted for hours.
Then-Philippine National Police chief Purisima had been meted out the suspension for approving an allegedly anomalous courier service contract with Werfast Documentary Agency in 2011.
“Purisima’s leading role in the operation is well-established as he was present during meetings, gave instructions to the (then-)SAF Director, received reports from the (then-)SAF DIrector and gave reports directly to the (then) President (Aquino),” Bayan said.
“Undermined PNP chain of command”
According to the militant group, in allowing Purisima’s participation in the operation, Aquino “undermined the PNP’s own chain of command” as he “in effect created two chains of command within the PNP.”
General Leonardo Espina, who had been appointed officer in charge of the PNP after Purisima was suspended, was initially unaware that an operation in Mamasapano was taking place.
According to Bayan, because Aquino was “relying” on a suspended police official, “he also did not inform his other security officials, including the (Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government) that an operation was being conducted, thereby denying his own troops support from other agencies.”
“Aquino did not inform his peace panel that an operation was being conducted which may have a serious effect on the ceasefire with the (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and on the peace process as a whole. The operation was viewed by the MILF as a ceasefire violation,” it added.
US government involvement
Bayan also noted that with his actions, Aquino had allowed the participation of a foreign government in the operation.
It was, it said, the United States “that provided the target, intelligence information, funding, training, and tactical direction for the operation.”
“US Special Forces were present at the tactical command post during the operation. The US also provided a $5 million reward for the target of the operation,” the group added, noting that proof of the death of Marwan was “brought immediately to the US (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and not to Philippine authorities as should have been the case.”
“The public is called on to carefully monitor developments in the case and ensure that those involved will be made accountable,” the group added.
Standing as Aquino’s co-conspirators are Purisima and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who gave the order for the filing, is an Aquino appointee.
