PRESIDENT Aquino on Monday met with the families of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF), who died in the Mamasapano operation against an international terrorist a year ago, and promised a speedy justice for the deaths of their loved ones.
ustrated by the pace of how government authorities are building up a case to prosecute the perpetrators of the massacre of the 44 SAF commandos in the botched Mamasapano operation.
Malacañang said that the impromptu meeting started at around 11 a.m. after the commemoration ceremonies in Camp Crame on Monday for the first anniversary of the deaths of the 44 SAF members, and is the third meeting between Aquino and the surviving families of the SAF 44 members, the first two being in January and February 2015.
However, contrary to his earlier pronouncement that he takes the blame as commander in chief for the deaths of the 44 SAF members, Aquino appeared to pass the buck to a “breach of procedure” committed by police officers in charge of the operation.
“You can count on this, that along with the giving of support for the families of the SAF 44, the government is striving hard to achieve justice. Our call on Congress is this: let us examine the National Police law and determine the provisions that hinder the immediate rendering of punishment for officials who are remiss in their duties. We do not want a tragedy to happen again just because of a breach in protocols,” Aquino said in his speech at the first year commemoration ceremonies at Camp Crame.
He was apparently referring to the National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) report on the Mamasapano operation, and how it went awry.
Former SAF Chief Director Getulio P. Napeñas Jr., now a senatorial candidate under the opposition party of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, was blamed by the BOI as having breached certain police and military operation protocols in the planning and actual execution of the Mamasapano operation to capture international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
The said report also tried to absolve Aquino from liability for not deploying the reinforcements, pointing instead to Napeñas as the brainchild of the “time-on-target” strategy to keep the operation as a secret until the actual target had already been engaged by the police on the ground because he believed that intermarriages between military personnel and the local people in Mamasapano could compromise the operation and endanger the lives of those who would actually carry it out.
Where’s the reward money?
DAVAO CITY—Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday urged operators of the Mamasapano, Maguindanao, raid last year “to disclose who claimed the $5 million reward offered for the capture of Marwan and how it was divided.”
Duterte issued the challenge in a meeting on Sunday in Zamboanga City with the wives of two of the 44 police commandos, who were killed in the raid, as he disclosed that he was with Aquino and then Interior Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II in the command center at Andrews Air Base on January 25 last year, the day the Mamasapano raid was conducted.
“Where’s the money?” Duterte said, adding that he would like his message to be relayed to the authorities and the operators of the raid who killed Marwan, the 44 SAF commandos. He said Malacañang must “tell the families of the slain police commandos how the reward money was shared.”
“While the families of the victims in the Mamasapano massacre could not be eased by material things, the members of the raiding team must share in the reward money, because more than anybody else, they made the supreme sacrifice,” he said
The US government offered $5 million reward for information that would lead to the capture or killing of Marwan, who was listed as one of the top international terrorists for his involvement in the deadly 2002 explosion in the Indonesian resort island of Bali that killed and wounding scores of foreign tourists, most of them Australians.
He said the reward money for operations like the Mamasapano raid to get Marwan “is supposed to be given only to the informants, but in actual practice, it is usually shared between the informant and those responsible in carrying out the operations.”
“While government operatives are not supposed to get a share of the reward money, the reality on the ground is that police operatives also get to claim part of the reward in an arrangement made among the participants of the operation,” he said.
‘Speculative’
NEWLY Appointed Justice Secretary Emmanuel L. Caparas branded “speculative” the alleged new evidence that will be presented before the Senate when it reopens its investigation on the Mamasapano massacre. Caparas said the justice department would have to wait for the supposed new evidence to be presented before the Senate before it can pass on its validity and decide whether it can be subject for investigation by the department.
“That is speculative. Let us wait. I don’t know what additional evidence that is. Let us just wait,” Caparas said.
Earlier, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile vowed to show proof that Aquino “actively and directly involved himself in the planning and preparation of Oplan Exodus.”
Meanwhile, retired Chief Superintendent Diosdado T. Valeroso said during a news conference that he has in his possession a digital audio recording of a conversation between a ranking government official and a lawmaker about the January 25 Mamasapano encounter last year.
The conversation, which he said took place a day or two after the Mamasapano carnage, appears to be between two persons talking about an attempt to cover up the Mamasapano incident to avoid its possible effect on the passage of the Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) in Congress.
The Mamasapano inquiry is being reopened by Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, upon the request of Enrile.
Caparas also denied that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is delaying its resolution on the Mamasapano case which has been submitted for resolution by a panel of procecutors following preliminary investigation.
While it has been a year since the death of the SAF 44, Caparas insisted they are not sitting on the Mamasapano case and promised that a resolution will be out soon.
“You are talking about many, many witnesses, you are talking about several defendants, and when you put that all together, you sum it all up, an investigation like that can take a very long time,” Caparas pointed out.
A total of 90 respondents belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and local armed groups have been charged before the DOJ for the complex crime of direct assault with murder for the death of the 35 of the 44 SAF members belonging to the 55th Special Action Company (SAC).
On the other hand, the fact-finding team failed to gather evidence that would point to those responsible for the killing of the other nine members of the 84th SAC.
State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez, one of the members of the five-man preliminary investigation panel earlier said only four out of the 90 respondents responded to the subpoenas they issued.
‘What cover-up?’
TOP police and interior department officials denied on Monday reports about the alleged previous attempt by the government to cover up for the Mamasapano massacre.
“Cover-up, there is no cover-up,” Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said about the reinvestigation into the massacre of the 44 members of the SAF while on counterterrorism operations in Maguindanao a year ago.
“But I don’t want to comment on something I don’t know, but hearings have been conducted and this issue already went through the process,” he added during the 25th National Police Foundation Day anniversary celebration at Camp Rafael Crame in Quezon City. The celebration was highlighted by the awarding of medals to the slain 44 police commandos, including two Medal of Valor. The awards were received by family members of 38 of the killed policemen and classmates of two of the slain policemen. The four others did not have any representative.
“As far as we are concerned, there was no attempt to cover up the investigation. I heard during the executive session everyone was given the chance to talk freely. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa iyong sinasabi nilang audio [recorded] conversation,” said Director General Ricardo Marquez, National Police chief.
“When we have heared that…that’s the time maybe that we can comment,” Marquez added.
Sarmiento and Marquez were reacting to reports about the recording that was reportedly in the possession of retired Chief Supt. Diosdado Valeroso.
Valeroso, former deputy commander for administration of the Metro Manila police command, claimed he received the recording through an e-mail. He said copies of the recording will be distributed on Wednesday during the Senate hearing. Earlier, Enrile said he has evidence that would point the direct responsibility of Aquino in the killing of the commandos by fighters of the MILF and the BIFF.
Marquez said he is waiting to have a copy of the supposed recording, which he had already asked from Valeroso, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy, but was turned down.
“I asked him if I can be given a copy. He told me, it will be distributed simultaneously,” Marquez said.
Justice
LAWMAKERS on Monday urged the national government to finally bring justice to the 44 SAF troopers who were brutally murdered by Moro rebel forces and lawless elements in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Speaking on the first anniversary of the massacre, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. asked the government to expedite the cases against members of the MILF and the BIFF who killed the 44 SAF commandos.
“It’s time for us to move on but also time for the prosecution people to do their job thoroughly, justice must be done, but as a people, we need to move on,” Belmonte told reporters. Dismayed by the national government’s inaction on the incident, Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo noted the stark contrast between the hurried efforts to pass the proposed BBL while wheels of justice turn ever slowly on the Mamasapano case.
Alejano assailed the slow investigation on the massacre, citing that the charges against perpetrators—who include MILF and BIFF commanders and combatants—were supposed to be filed several months ago, but no meaningful development has taken place up to now.
“The government has not been aggressive in pursuing justice for the slain SAF troopers. It would appear now that this administration has been deliberately silent and complacent in seeking justice for SAF 44. On the other hand, they are determined in pushing for the passage of the BBL and rewarding the MILF in the process by serving them on a silver platter the control of the would-be Bangsamoro government,” he said.
David Cagahastian, Joel San Juan, Rene Acosta and Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza
54 comments
Nakakahiya ang dami nagbuwis ng buhay dyan sa masasapano na hanggang ngayun wala pa rin hustisya ang SAF44.. buti pa si duterte may malasakit dito!!
sa umpisa pa lang nito may mali na talaga ang malupit pa dun may mga sariling interest pa kaya ayan nanyari.. nakakalungkot kahit mismo gobyerno natin ipapahamak tayo.. katarungan para sa SAF44.. Gusto ko na talaga ng pagbabago Duterte2016.
Bigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng Fallen Heroes natin
nakakapagtataka naman talaga ang kasong ito SAF44, paano magkakaroon ng hustisya yan kung mismo gobyerno natin ang may kasalanan ang laki ng award e.. Tama si duterte asan na ang award ng pera??
give the justice that is long over due!
mabagal ang proseso ng hustisya natin dito sa pilipinas kaya hanggang ngayun wala pa rin nangyayari sa kasong na yan… kaya ako sa mayo sa 2016 dutertecayetano na ako para magkaroon ng talaga ng totoong pagbabago sa sistema ng gobyerno natin!.
wag na tayo magbulagbulagan ang kasong SAF44 itong walang mapupuntahan hanggang di na papalitan ang adminitrasyon dahil din sila mismo ang may pakana, panahon para mag duterte tayo sa 2016 para sa tunay na pagbabago
Okay lang naman ang mamatay sa sarili mong bansa kung sinabi sayo ang dahilan bakit kailangan mong mamatay! Hustisya para sa SAF44.
Mabuti na lang andyan pa din si mayor para ipag laban ang dapat at ilabas ang katotohanan!
ha? after 1 year saka lang sya nag salita? di ba dapat during hearing last year nag presinta na sya na mag salita? hahaha anong nangyair na delay ang pag bunyag nya bakit ngayon mag eeleksyon saka sya mag reveal ng kwento? Alam na…
Kung yan ang desisyin ni mayor at alam nyang yan ang makakatulong para mabigyan ng hustisya ang SAF bakit hindi!
Bakit ngayon lang sya nag salita? bakit noong hearing hindi sya nag presinta sa totoong nangyari or inamin na kasama sya sa nag matyag during the operation? dapat doon pa lang mag duda na kayo sa kung ano ang intensyon nya, after a year saka mo bulgar? asan ung malasakit mo sa pamilya ng mga SAF44? at bakit sa mga naunang interview sinisi pa nya ang mga SAFF dahil pumasok sa teritoryo ng MILF na walang paalam, kailan pa nagkaroon ng teritoryo ang mga bandidong muslim???
Hustiysa para sa ating mga bayani.
Katotohanan para sa hustisya ng SAF44!!!
and PNoy you committed the biggest breach of all..when you let a suspended Purisima carry yoiur order and not Chief PNP Espina.
Your incompetence simply made you overlook your own role and accountability.
Mag iisang taon na. Kailangan na talagang mabigyan ng hustisya ang SAF44. Wag na sanang mabahiran ng pulitika ang paghahanap ng hustisya para sa mga bayani natin.
Dapat bigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng SAF44. Hindi naman pwedeng mauwi lang sa wala ang pagkamatay nila!!
justice for SAFF44
Ang bagal ng proseso ng pamahalaan dapat noon palang nabigyan na agad ng hustisya ang SAF44!!!
kawawa yung mga kamag-anak na naulila ng SAF44 kaya naman sana mabigyan na agad ng hustisya ang pagkamatay nila…
Brutal silang pinatay at kahit sumuko na sila talagang pinagbababaril pa kaya naman sana mabigyan na sila ng hustisya,.
Wag na sanag patagalin pa ang pagbibigay ng hustisya sa SAF44 dahil ang tagal na hindi parin nabibigyan ng hustisya!!!
Malinaw yung video eh na nakuha at sana mabigyan agad sila ng hustisya dahil hindi basta-basta ang inabot nila sa kamay ng mga rebelde
justice dapat para sa saf44, matagal na tong kaso na to, dapat matagal ng naimbestigahan.
hustisya hustisya hustiya!
para sa hustisya, ayusin lahat!
para sa saf44 para sa hustisyapara sa pag babago
hustisia ang kelangan namin, saf44 para sa hustisya
ibigay ang nararapat sa saf44 HUSTISYA
mas maaga mas ok huwag na sana mas patagalin pa ang issue sa mamasapano, bigyan ng hustisya ang saf44.
justice po ang kailangan jan!.
kaawa awang mga nilalang ang tagal na nyan dapat mabigyan na yan ng hustisya!,
tama talaga na dapat na imbestigahan na to ng mas maaga para nagkaroon na ng hustisya ang saf44.
dapat talaga mabigyan na po to ng hustisya,
aksyon naman jan para sa saf44 magkaroon na ng hustisya
nararapat talaga na hustisya ang kailangan para naman sa mga saf44 na nagbuwis ng buhay.
Isang taon na ang nakalipas mula ng mangyare ito. Kelangan nang mabigyan ng hustiya ang mga namatay nating bayani. Wag sanang umepal ang mga politikong walang silbi.
ang kaso sa mamasapano ay dapat matagal ng naimbestigahan, e-d sana nagkaroon na ng hustisya pagkamatay ng saf44.
hustisya po ng saf44 ang kailangan..
kung tutuusin ang tagal na po nito dapat mabigyan na to ng hustisya.
Isang taon na ang nakalipas sana mabigyan na sila ng hustisya para naman mapanagot na ang tunay na may kasalanan
Wag naman sanang mahaluan ng pulitika ang paghahanap ng hustisya para sa mga namatay na SAF troopers
kelangan nang mabigyan ng hustiya ang mga namatay nating pulis para lang saating seguridad. Wag na sanang eepal pa ang mga mapagsamantalang pulitiko
Binigyang pansin ni Sen, alan ang mga nasawing bayani sa mamasapano
WALA iba kundi ikaw lang ang Vp na may malasakit sa saff 44 Big up to alan cayetano
sa tagal ng pag usad ng kaso sa saff 44 nais na ito tuldukan ni senator alan..
karapatan ng fallen 44 na makatamtan ang hustisya
bigyang hustisya ang paka matay ng saff44,,
sana mabigyan na ng hustisya ang SAF44
dapat malaman na ang totoo at magkaroon ng hustisya ang SAF44
hindi pwdeng basta basta nalang ang nangyari sa SAF44 dapat sila bigyan ng hustisya
Hustisya sa SAF44! nakakaawa ang nangyari sakanila lalo na sa mga pamliyang naiwan nila!
sana naman mabigyan ng hustisya ang SAF44 at malaman na kung sino ang dapat managot sa pangyayaring ito.
nkakaawa lang ang pamliyang naiwan ng SAF44 dapat lang mabigyan sila ng hustisya.