Espina: PNP, AFP remain united despite lack of coordination in Mamasapano

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in chief Leonardo Espina on Wednesday said that the police and military remain united despite the lack of coordination in the botched Mamasapano operation.

Speaking to reporters after the House of Representatives probe on the carnage, Espina said the military and police remain a united force despite finger-pointing and lack of coordination that marred the operation intended to take down two international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“We will always be united … Sa particular operation na ito, mayroong hindi pagkakaintindihan, hindi pagkakaunawaan. Walang kinalaman yan sa buong unity at vibrant relationship namin ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Espina said.

“North and south, they are all very united,” he added.

Espina assured that the police and military will apply the lessons of this carnage.

“We will learn from this lesson, para hindi na mauulit,” he said.

The chamber conducted its probe on the botched operation involving Special Action Force (SAF) elite cops who were sent in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last Jan. 25 to track down Malaysian international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and local terrorist Abdul Basit Usman, who were said to be in an MILF-controlled territory. Marwan was supposedly killed in the attack, while Usman remained at large.

The carnage, which left 44 cops dead, was largely blamed on the lack of coordination of sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas with military and police authorities, who failed to send reinforcements on time. Napeñas failed to inform Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Espina on the operation supposedly on the orders of resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima.

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