Espina vows to hunt down Usman, seek justice for SAF44

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police on Friday vowed to go after terrorists, particularly Abdul Basit Usman, who escaped the fatal operation intended to arrest him and fellow bombmaking expert Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

“We will get him. He’s a terrorist,” PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said at the necrological services held in Camp Bagong Diwa for the 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Marwan was reportedly killed in the SAF mission while Usman managed to escape. The two bombmaking experts linked to international terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah have million-dollar bounties on their heads.

“Tuloy tuloy ang trabaho namin. Hindi kami hihinto. Alam niyo kung bakit hindi kami pwedeng huminto? Dahil para din ito sa inyo,” Espina said.

Media reports said government officials and police officials who have requested anonymity claimed that Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas were intentionally kept in the dark during the planning and execution of “Operation Wolverine.”

Espina confirmed this, saying he was only informed of the large-scale operation against Marwan when the troops had entered the base of the armed Moro groups.

The officials also claimed President Benigno Aquino III gave the go-signal for the operation in coordination with suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

When asked for further details, Espina told reporters to wait for the result of the investigation.

He said the police will continue seeking justice after the slain officers are laid to rest.

“Nakakalungkot. Pero alam ninyo, pumasok kami sa police habang kalahati ng katawan namin nasa hukay. It’s our duty to protect the people,” Espina said.

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