Palace on Mamasapano controversy: Just wait for President’s speech

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has remained mum on accusations that the clash in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, which left 44 policemen dead, was directed by President Benigno Aquino III and the United States.

“[The] President will deliver [his] message tonight” was Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.’s reply to INQUIRER.net when asked about the controversy.

Aquino is set to address the nation at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Coloma confirmed that the speech will be about the “Maguindanao incident” and the ongoing peace process.

INQUIRER.net will host the livestream on the homepage of its website. In the past, the President has delivered televised speeches pertaining to controversial topics such as the pork barrel scam.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) harped on earlier reports that the operation was ordered by Aquino, who allegedly asked suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima to direct almost 400 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) to serve warrants of arrest to international terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir or “Commander Marwan” and Basit Usman. Both Marwan and Usman are connected to the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The SAF group supposedly figured in a misencounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s 105^th Base Command.

The PNP command has denied knowledge of the operation, prompting a board of inquiry to look into the matter.

Since the deadly clash on Sunday, SAF commander Getulio Napenas was sacked and recalled to Manila while PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor was relieved from his post.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. challenged Aquino to answer the fresh allegations.

“It is hard to believe that 392 elite PNP SAF were being mobilized for an operation against a so-called high-value target and yet our top officials claim they were not aware. Aquino has a lot of explaining to do. If he knew of and approved the Mamasapano operation, upon the directive of the United States, then the President is also accountable,” he said.

The Executive on Tuesday asked lawmakers not to withdraw their support from the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) despite the MILF’s involvement in the clash. The BBL is among the gains of the negotiations with the MILF after a final peace agreement was signed last year.

Asked about Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s comment on the issue, Coloma told Palace reporters that people should give peace a chance.

Estrada, who declared an all-out-war against the MILF in 2000, referred to a Filipino saying, “Kung hindi makuha sa santong dasalan, eh di daanin sa santong paspasan (If you cannot get it through a saintly prayer, then get it by whatever means that is fast and effective).”

The MILF and the BIFF, a splinter group of the former, denied that they coordinated in the attack. The MILF said it will not do anything to violate the peace agreement between their group and the Philippine government.