Catapang: AFP gave no artillery support to SAF to avoid ‘war’ with MILF
MANILA, Philippines – The military did not grant the artillery support requested by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) during the Mamasapano operation not only because innocent people would be hit by it, but also because the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) might think that “we are back to war,” Armed Forces chief Gregorio Pio Catapang said on Monday.
Testifying before a joint committee hearing at the Senate, relieved SAF commander Getulio Napenas said that as early as 7:53 a.m. of January 25, 2015, he already requested “artillery support” from the military for his men who were engaged in a heavy firefight during the operation.
He said he first made the request to SAF officer in charge Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño and gave him the grid coordinates of his troops in Mamasapano.
But Napenas said Taliño’s reply to his request was : “Sir, as of now, nega (negative) daw muna ang artillery…” adding that innocent people, including children, might be hit by it.
“I also texted General Espina and General Purisima, the same context and I gave the location of my troops…My troops were pinned down and there were casualties. I asked if we can get artillery support,” the relieved official said in Filipino, responding to queries of Senator Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito.
While there were more than 300 SAF members deployed for the operation, Napenas said the troops were also simultaneously engaged in a firefight with the enemies.
But Catapang, also responding to Ejercito’s questions, said the military responded immediately to the SAF’ request for reinforcement.
“Ang problema po kasi pag humingi kayo ng artillery fire, tatlong bagay any kailangang maklaro. Nasaan ang kalaban, nasaan ang tropa at dapat may forward observer para sa ganun pag binagsak po yung bomba, e alam natin na ang tatamaan e yung kalaban,” he said.
Asked if it was true that the military considered the ongoing peace talks with the MILF, Catapang reiterated his earlier statement that the order was to extricate the beleaguered forces, and not to engage the Moro rebels.
“In as much as we have a peace process, we don’t want to endanger these things because pag sinugod po natin ang MILF, they might think that we are back to war. So ayaw po naming mangyari yun dahil parang sunog po yan, kung hindi po natin na-managed, baka hanggang sa Lanao, buong Central Mindanao magkaroon na po tayo ng skirmishes sa MILF,” he further said.
