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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, January 27, 2017
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MANILA – Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III insisted he cannot be held accountable for the fatal January 2015 Mamasapano clash.
Aquino blamed former Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas, whom he accused of lying to and disobeying him.
“Kung may kasalanan po ako bilang pangulo noong panahong iyon, ito po: ni minsan, hindi pumasok sa isip kong magagawa ni Napeñas na magsinungaling sa pangulo ng Pilipinas,” Aquino said in a press statement released yesterday.
The former president said he trusted a two-star police officer he himself promoted.
“Naniwala akong itong graduate ng PMA (Philippine Military Academy) na tatalima sa values ng paaralan na ‘Courage, Integrity, Loyalty,’” said Aquino.
Napeñas failed to follow instructions to secure support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he claimed.
“Inutusan ko si Napeñas na kailangan niyang makipag-coordinate sa AFP para maihanda ang mechanized units, artillery, eroplano, tao, at iba pang assets na kailangan para hindi mangyari ang pintakasi. Sagot ni Napeñas: ‘Yes, sir,’” Aquino said.
“Matapos ang imbestigasyon, lumalabas na wala pa lang 160 ang Seaborne (84th Special Action Company),” he added. “Higit 70 lang ang bilang nila at 54 sa kanila ang operators.”
Defending his decision to deploy the SAF to the Mamasapano mission, Aquino said the operations of the Philippine National Police unit were not limited to urban areas. He also denied that the United States was involved in the mission.
On Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte blamed Aquino for the deadly encounter, citing reports that the government — as advised by then Peace Adviser Teresita Deles — decided not to send the SAF military reinforcement.
In a speech, Duterte claimed the former administration wanted to preserve the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front./PN
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