Officials in botched Mamasapano operation may face raps—De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday that administrative and criminal charges could be filed against officials who illegally participated in the planning and implementation of the “Operation Exodus.”

Speaking before the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano incident, De Lima said officials could be slapped with grave misconduct, insubordination and usurpation of authority.

Citing one instance, an official who is “not authorized by law to be part of the official decision making” may be charged with criminal offenses.

De Lima did not identify officials but resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima allegedly participated and gave orders to PNP officials during the planning and execution of “Operation Exodus.”

The planning for the January 25 operation that led to the death of 44 policemen started in November 2014.

Purisima, despite his suspension over corruption charges in December 2014, had attended meetings with top police officials and President Benigno Aquino III to “give his suggestions” in executing the operation.

“The administrative liability of public officials may still involve criminal liability if the official’s participation or the official participating in the execution of the law enforcement operation was not authorized by law to be part of the official decision making,” de Lima said.

At the same time, Purisima had “advised” sacked Special Action Force head Police Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. to delay informing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina about Exodus.

But the secretary reiterated that the PNP is “civilian in nature” and not a military organization. Thus, no chain of command is being violated by Napeñas.

However, de Lima said: “the administrative and criminal liability of the PNP officials concerned should more properly be addressed using ordinary civil service rules on the civilian agencies and the regular criminal justice system. As such, administrative liability may be grave misconduct, insubordination and for the criminal, usurpation of authority.”