Napeñas quizzed on US knowledge of role in Mamasapano operation

Video by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Did the United States know about the Mamasapano operation beforehand?

This question cropped on Tuesday when sacked Philippine National Police -Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Director Getulio Napeñas told at the resumption of the hearing of the Senate committee on public order, joint with committees on peace, unification and reconciliation, and finance on Tuesday that he sought the help of the US forces based in Zamboanga to help evacuate his wounded troops in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“We were receiving reports na may mga casualties… I took the initiative na humingi ng tulong dun sa US forces based d’on sa Zambanonga to provide us medical evacuation using their helicopter…” Napeñas said,responding to Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto’s queries.

“This is in connection with the ongoing continued exercise that we have with the US forces in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

At this point, Senate President Franklin Drilon asked Napeñas about the US’ possible involvement in the Mamasapano operation.

“Did the FBI know beforehand of this operation?” asked Drilon.

“Your honor, I have no knowledge if the FBI [knew] about this operation,” Napeñas said.

Drilon then asked if there were any US personnel who knew about the operation but Napeñas reiterated that it was only during the day itself that he sought the help of the US forces.

Asked again if the nondisclosure of the operation to the US personnel was part of the operational security, Napeñas said yes.

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