Palace denies Aquino was in Zambo to claim success over Marwan’s capture

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Wednesday denied that President Benigno Aquino III went to Zamboanga last month expecting the success of the Philippine National Police (PNP) operation against international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Aquino arrived in Zamboanga on Jan. 25 at the height of the gunfight in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao. Media reported that he was in the province to visit the victims of a bus bombing, which killed two people and injured 50 others. At that time, the public did not know that heavy fighting was happening in Maguindanao.

It was later revealed that 44 policemen were killed in a supposed “misencounter” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Reports later said Aquino was in the province to claim the success of the operation, in case Marwan was nabbed. A DNA test confirmed Marwan’s death but the large number of casualties had caused public outrage.

Despite the coincidental date, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Wednesday insisted that such reports were not true.

“Masyadong malicious ’yung ganoong klaseng allegation (Such allegations are very malicious). He was there precisely to meet the—to discuss the Zamboanga bombing,” he said. “That’s a very scurrilous accusation, which has no basis in truth.”

Lacierda said Aquino only wanted to assure the residents of their safety.

“To impute any other motives is downright malicious and has no basis in fact,” he added.

Aquino has been blamed for the deaths of the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) troopers. While he was aware of their mission, the PNP chain of command, including Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, was left in the dark. Instead, reports said it was suspended (now, resigned) PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima who directed the operation.

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