PNP honors Mamasapano probers
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police on Monday honored the board of inquiry that investigated the bungled Special Action Force (SAF) counterterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, that cost the lives of 44 elite police commandos on Jan. 25.
Members of the board, its operational audit team and other support units were presented awards for “a job well done” during the flag-raising ceremony at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The board submitted its report on March 12, with the finding that “Oplan Exodus,” the SAF mission to capture Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Amin Baco, alias “Jihad,” and their Filipino associate, Basit Usman, was approved by President Aquino and was executed by the suspended PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima, and the SAF commander, Director Getulio Napeñas, without coordinating with the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has a ceasefire agreement with the government.
The board recommended an investigation by the relevant government agencies to determine the administrative and criminal liabilities of the officials involved.
Invaluable service
The medals that the board members received for their “invaluable service” came without any financial renumeration or other incentives, according to Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., spokesman for the PNP.
“The PNP has a system of recognizing its members. With respect to the [board of inquiry], we all saw how serious their job was and they fulfilled their tasks. We all knew how difficult it was to come up with this report and how sensitive their job was,” Cerbo told reporters.
Director Benjamin Magalong, head of the board, along with his deputy, Director Catalino Rodriguez, and member Chief Supt. John Sosito, received the PNP Service Medal, or Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod.
The special award is given to policemen who undertake important tasks mostly administrative, such as writing manuals and reports, Cerbo said.
Audit team
The audit team leader, Senior Supt. Robert Po, led the other officials who received the PNP Efficiency Medal, or Medalya ng Kasanayan, for supporting the board in the investigation.
Aside from Po, those who received this award were team members Senior Superintendents Ronald de la Rosa, Cesar Hawthorne Binag and Benigno Durana; inquiry report head Senior Supt. Rudy Lacadin; board secretariat head Supt. Danilo Macerin; board security officer Supt. Arthur Bisnar; board secretariats Supt. Angeles Genorga Jr. and Marlon Tayaba; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) investigation division officer in charge Supt. Nino David Rabaya, team secretariats Chief Insp. David Joy Duarte and Insp. Helen de la Cruz, and lawyer Virgilio Pablico, CIDG legal division acting chief.
Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, PNP officer in charge, and Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, chief directorial staff, led the awarding ceremonies.
Cerbo said the awards were within the scope of Espina’s extended powers as officer in charge of the PNP, given to him by the National Police Commission.
Asked if the honored police officials would get promotions, Cerbo said all police officials were considered for vacant or sensitive positions, taking into consideration their performance and seniority.
