PNP insists: US not involved in Mamasapano mission

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police maintained that the United States government was not involved in the operation of the Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25, which left 44 commandos dead.

This was despite claims that the operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan was orchestrated and funded by the Americans.

The PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., pointed out that in the hearings on the disastrous police operation, relieved SAF commander Getulio Napenas has mentioned the participation of units involved.

“He did not mention the involvement of foreign troops. Let’s leave it at that. In any case, there is the report of the Board of Inquiry probing the incident,” the police official said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

The BOI investigating the January 25 clash of the SAF with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is expected to come out with its final report on February 25.

A Philippine Daily Inquirer report quoting a SAF informant claimed that the operation was a US-directed project from start to finish, with the Americans providing a training facility, logistics, and funding.

Cerbo stressed that Napenas had fully detailed those involved in Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano in the hearings in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

“If there are allegations that there are foreign troops involved, let us wait for the BOI to finish its investigations. The PNP won’t be covering up anything, we are also after the truth,” he said.

He added that the PNP had no reason to hide the assistance of the US in terms of training and equipment.

“We have received assistance from other countries, not only our US counterparts, also our Australian counterparts and from other nationalities in terms of training, equipment and other kinds of support,” Cerbo said.

He pointed out that in the Mamasapano clash, Napenas did not mention any involvement of US troops in the actual operation and on the ground.

Asked if the US intervention, if ever, would be legal, Cerbo said: “Let us wait for the BOI to answer.”