Napeñas admits proceeding with ‘Exodus’ sans ‘direct order’ from Aquino
Video by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Sacked Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas said he proceeded with the Oplan Exodus on his own initiative and with only a “tacit approval” from the President.
“I’d like to cite that the two occasions I joined PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima for mission update, during those two occasions, I was never given a guidance that the mission is a no-go,” Napenas said at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
“There was no direct order from President Benigno Aquino (III) telling me to proceed or that mission is approved,” he added.
The covert operation aimed to go after top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.
The botched operation, which was kept from the military, resulted in the deaths of 44 police officers.
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