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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Sunday, November 12, 2017
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MANILA – The Sandiganbayan Third Division found probable cause to try former president Benigno Aquino III in connection with the fatal antiterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao two years ago.
Aquino may be tried for the graft and usurpation of authority charges lodged by the Office of the Ombudsman, said the Division’s Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma.
A warrant of arrest signed by Third Division justices was issued against Aquino but this was no longer served after the former president immediately posted the P40,000 bail bond, Pulma said. Moreover, the Sandiganbayan also issued a hold departure order against Aquino.
Arraignment and pretrial start Jan. 12, 2018.
The Ombudsman filed the charges at the anti-graft court last Wednesday.
Aquino was accused of allowing then Philippine National Police director general Alan Purisima to have an active role in “Oplan Exodus” in January 2015 despite knowing that the latter was under preventive suspension and should not perform any official duty.
The then president also instructed Purisima to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and communicated exclusively with the police official at the height of the operations on Jan. 25, 2015, the case stated.
Forty-four Special Action Force (SAF) officers were killed in the operation that also led to the death of terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan.”
The Ombudsman formally filed the complaint after denying Aquino’s motion for reconsideration and upheld its June 2017 resolution finding probable cause to indict the former president.
AQUINO CLAIMS INNOCENCE ANEW
Aquino once again pinned the blame on former SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr.
The former chief executive told a news conference at his Quezon City residence on Friday evening that Napeñas made him believe the police coordinated with the military as he instructed.
“May presumption of regularity … Itong tao na p-in-romote ko, hindi naman siguro ako bobolahin,” Aquino said. “Napeñas confirmed to me twice that he will coordinate the operation with the military.”
Several Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and civilians were also killed in the operation.
“Sabi ko lang, mali ba na kumuha kayo ng alalay? Mali ba na kumuha ng pwersa ng gobyerno na gawin iyong obligasyon nila?” said Aquino./PN
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