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[av_heading heading=’SolGen seeks harsher rap vs ex-prez Aquino’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” 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
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January 26, 2018
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MANILA – Solicitor General Jose Calida believes former president Benigno Aquino III deserves a severe charge for his “approval” of the antiterrorism operation that killed 44 elite police officers.
Calida asked the Supreme Court to drop the usurpation of authority charges against Aquino and former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.
The Office of Ombudsman should have filed instead 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide against Aquino, Purisima and then PNP Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas, Calida said.
The statement from the government legal defender came just as President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to “uncover the truth behind [the] botched operation.”
In Proclamation No. 164, Duterte declared Jan. 25 of every year as Day of National Remembrance for the 44 SAF troopers killed during the operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.
“In view of (Aquino’s) full knowledge of the details of Oplan Exodus and his subsequent approval, he acted with inexcusable negligence, which was the direct proximate cause of the massacre,” said the state legal defender.
“Hence, Aquino is liable for 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, as penalized under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code,” he added.
The Ombudsman earlier filed graft and usurpation of authority charges against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas before the Sandiganbayan.
Aquino was accused of allowing Purisima to have an active role in Oplan Exodus on Jan. 25 and communicating with him exclusively despite knowing that the latter was under preventive suspension.
Forty-four SAF operatives, along with dozens of rebels and several civilians, were killed in the operation that targeted terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman.
Speaking to the press in a briefing from India, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President does not want a repeat of the bloody antiterrorism operation.
It was “a waste of lives and promising future of gallant Filipinos,” said Roque. “He (Duterte) vows to uncover the truth behind this botched operation and find a just closure for the bereaved families who lost a husband, father, brother, or son.”
Roque added: “The nation remembers the heroic sacrifice of the 44 SAF commandos though the President admitted that the cry for justice for our Fallen SAF 44 heroes remains elusive.”
Meanwhile, Napeñas expressed disappointment that former president Aquino has turned him into a “fall guy.”
During an event on Thursday commemorating the encounter, Napeñas insisted it was “legal and lawful” that he followed the orders of Aquino and Purisima to arrest Marwan.
“Pero noong pumalpak, parang iniwan nila ako sa ere at sa akin sumentro ang lahat ng sisi,” Napeñas said.
Aquino has repeatedly blamed Napeñas for the operation. He claimed Napeñas “disobeyed” him.
“Magkagayunman, ipinagmamalaki pa rin namin iyong naging operation namin dahil kami ang nakapatay kay Marwan,” he added. “Mabuti rin at si Marwan lang ang nandoon noon kundi baka mas malala ang nangyari.”/PN
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