Aquino names Napeñas’ replacement

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday witnessed the turnover of command of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Police Chief Superintendent Moro Virgilio Lazo, formerly PNP Firearms and Explosives Division chief, was named new director of the SAF, replacing Director Getulio Napeñas.

Napeñas was among the officials who took responsibility for the deaths of 44 SAF troopers after neutralizing international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and figuring in a misencounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

While Napeñas directly commanded the operation, Aquino and former PNP chief Alan Purisima, who resigned because of the controversy, have also been receiving flak for the poor handling of the mission.

The botched operation not only resulted in the death of more than 60 people–including 44 SAF troopers, 18 MILF fighters and at least five civilians–but also put the ongoing peace process in jeopardy.

Lazo was a former SAF member.

He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy.

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