[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Ex-president Aquino charged at Sandigan ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Thursday, November 9, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday charged former president Benigno Aquino III at the Sandiganbayan over the January 2015 antiterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that led to the death of elite policemen.
Aquino was accused of violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and usurpation of authority (Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code), said Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Reza Casila-Derayunan.
The Ombudsman recommended a P40,000 bail bond for Aquino – P30,000 for the graft charge and P10,000 for the usurpation of authority charge – Derayunan said.
The charge for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide that the relatives of the 44 Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in the incident filed was dismissed for lack of evidence.
Aquino allowed then PNP director general Alan Purisima to have an active role in “Oplan Exodus” despite knowing that the latter was under preventive suspension and should not perform any official duty, the case information stated.
“(Aquino) did there and then willfully, unlawfully cause Purisima to perform and/or exercise the function of the chief of the PNP prior to and during its implementation despite having knowledge that Purisima was under preventive suspension,” said Derayunan.
The then president also allowed Purisima to go to the meeting held in Bahay Pangarap, where the top-secret operation was planned and discussed, she said.
Moreover, Aquino instructed Purisima to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and communicated exclusively with the former police chief at the height of the operation on Jan. 25, 2015, said the Ombudsman.
“Aquino allowed himself to be persuaded, induced or influenced to violate the PNP chain of command, the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension order against Purisima, and officer-in-charge PNP chief Leonardo Espina’s order against Purisima and other suspended police officials to cease and desist from performing duties and functions of their offices,” Derayunan said.
Earlier the Ombudsman said it has found probable cause to indict Aquino “in conspiracy” with Purisima and sacked SAF director Getulio Napeñas.
The anti-graft body filed the complaint at the Sandiganbayan after denying Aquino’s motion for reconsideration and upholding its June 2017 resolution finding probable cause.
The operation led to the death of Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” 44 SAF commandos, some Moro Islamic Liberation Front members, and civilians./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
