THE tumult that has characterized the Senate and House hearings on Operation Exodus reminds one of that story of the traveler who found himself lost in a dark forest one stormy night. Every roar of thunder sent him clamping up his ears to prevent them from shattering; it was only when lightning flashed through the skies that he could gain a few yards on a way out. In desperation he looked up to the heavens and screamed, “Dear God, please give me more light and less noise.”
Through the rowdy congressional hearings, at least a beam of light has been cast on one conclusion—that the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos achieved their objective, which was to neutralize the international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
The accomplishment came at a high price, however, the loss of life of 44 brave commandos. By this act of courage, unflinching response to duty, in the service of our security as a people, they passed on to the pantheon of our national heroes.
Beyond these facts, everything else is murky. The murkiest of all is the answer to the question of what participation the President had in the whole enterprise.
The commander of the operation, SAF Director Getulio Napeñas, gave a testimony that is a model for emulation by all who dream of becoming leaders of their fellow human beings. In describing details of the Mission, Director Napeñas acknowledged responsibility not just for the things that went right but, most important for the things that went wrong. He made no effort to pass the blame to any one; certainly not to his superiors, whom he almost appeared to be protecting. His testimony is a study in responsible leadership.
The clarity of the Director’s testimony only served to highlight the evasiveness of the testimony of his superior, suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima. This evasiveness became wanton when, in reply to a query from Senator Santiago of whether the President was involved in giving the go signal to the operation, Purisima said that he needed the clearance of the President before he could answer the question.
Many other questions of great importance, including why the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) did not send any force to rescue the commandos, who had run out of ammunition, from what turned out to be the killing ground, elicited no straightforward answers.
In the House hearing, edified by details unearthed in the Senate investigation, committee members zeroed in on the question left dangling by Director General Purisima. What is the extent of the President’s involvement in the tragedy?
Indeed, what is the extent of the President’s involvement in Operation Exodus? This is the all-important question. We join millions of our countrymen and countrywomen in demanding an answer.
The time has come for the President to step forward and give the answer. The President is the Commander in Chief of the AFP of our country including the police force. He owes it to the people, including the bereaved families of the fallen commandos, to explain the circumstances that gave rise to this one of the saddest episodes in our national experience.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano