Napeñas earns ire of lawmakers in Mamasapano probe

MANILA, Philippines—Sacked Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas earned the ire of lawmakers in the House of Representatives which is conducting its hearing on the Mamasapano carnage on Wednesday.

Former military chief Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon slammed Napeñas for violating the chain of command when he supposedly refused to inform Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and other officials of the operation.

Biazon also said Napeñas violated the chain of command when he failed to inform PNP officer in charge Leonardo Espina about the operation and instead took orders from suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima.

“You are the subordinate of Espina mandated to report to him … You disregarded your direct superior,” Biazon told Napeñas.

Napenas begged off from answering the question why Purisima ordered him not to divulge the information to Roxas.

Napenas then evaded Biazon’s questions by saying the operation continued because the President, despite not giving a go-signal, gave a tacit approval.

“Hindi yun ang tinatanong ko! I’ll stop my questions,” the irate Biazon lashed out.

Napeñas, who has admitted accountability in the carnage for keeping high-ranking officials in the dark, also refused to divulge details about Malaysian terrorist Marwan’s finger which was reportedly used as basis to confirm the terrorist’s death.

Napeñas said he could only answer details in an executive session.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, who asked Napeñas about Marwan’s finger, said he could cite Napeñas in contempt for refusing to answer the questions.

Public order safety chair Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer said Napeñas did not necessarily say he refused the question which the latter could answer in an executive session.

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