Santiago tells Napeñas: ‘You’re a failure,’ but don’t take all the blame

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines–Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago called sacked Special Action Force commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas a “failure.”

“You’re a failure. You’re incompetent. You cited intervening factors. The operation should have proceeded smoothly eh kayo nagpaplano (you’re the ones who planned it),” Defensor said.

Prior to Defensor’s statement, Napeñas said the assaulting force or the 84th SAF company were not able to reach the target, Marwan’s hut, on time.

“Bakit hindi kayo pumunta ng maaga pa para hindi pa gising mga Muslim? Alam niyong 5 a.m. ang prayer nila,” Defensor said.

(Why didn’t you go there earlier so that you may have caught them sleeping? You knew that their first prayer is scheduled at 5 a.m.)

The time the assault force should reach the target according to the operation plan was supposed to be at 2:30 a.m.

Defensor, however, said Napeñas should stop taking all the responsibility for the tragedy that killed 44 policemen.

“Ang problema sa ‘yo (the problem with you is), you’re assuming full responsibility for the operation. I doubt very much your statement that you’re in full sole control,” the Senator added.

“Maraming mali sa timing, sa execution (The timing and the execution are flawed) that’s why you shouldn’t be blamed for the whole fiasco,” she added.

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