Aquino’s praise for young soldier a swipe at Napeñas?

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines — Was it a swipe at sacked Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas?

President Benigno Aquino III hailed on Sunday Army 2nd lieutenant Jerson Sanchez who, he said, was not from an elite unit but showed bravery and leadership in fighting communist rebels in Sarangani province barely a year after the young officer graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

“Let me emphasize: 2nd Lt. Sanchez is a new soldier, not even a member yet of an elite unit. Yet, in his short time in service, he has already shown extraordinary courage and effective leadership. It is clear to him: while he perseveres in pursuing the enemy, all the more will they hesitate to undertake their operations, because they know the high caliber of our soldiers who stand guard against them,” the President said in his speech before the graduating cadets of the PMA Sinaglahi Class of 2015.

President Aquino did not mention the Mamasapano debacle that brought him perhaps the hardest blow on his presidency.

The mention of Sanchez’s bravery and leadership was the most that President Aquino made in reference to the bungled anti-terrorism operation.

The President has yet to fully explain why he placed the risky operation to take down terrorists in the hands of his friend, Director General Alan Purisima, who was at that time suspended as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

President Aquino awarded Sanchez with the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military combat award, at the PMA’s Borromeo Field before Vice President Jejomar Binay, the 172 graduating cadets, the incoming seniors, and nearly 1,000 guests, including parents, officials of government, the military and police.

Napeñas, a graduate of PMA Class ’82, lost 44 of his commandos in a risky operation to take down Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and two other terrorists on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Napeñas’ decisions as the overall ground commander in the operation were examined in several investigations conducted into the carnage, apart from role played by President Aquino and suspended (and now resigned) Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima.

A Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry report, released last Friday, said that Mr. Aquino violated the PNP chain of command when he entrusted the operations to Purisima, a suspended official, and failed to inform PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda rebutted the BOI findings, saying that as chief executive, Mr. Aquino had full supervision and control over the PNP, a civilian organization, and thus could not be subjected to its internal control and process.

Most importantly, Lacierda said, Purisima had disobeyed President Aquino’s order for him and Napeñas to coordinate the operation.

Sought for comment on the President’s speech, Espina later told reporters that he did not think Aquino’s remarks was a swipe at Napeñas or other members of elite units.

“No I don’t think so,” Espina said in Filipino. “We have many courageous lieutenants and there are many new policemen who are capable.”

In his speech, President Aquino said Sanchez should serve as an inspiration to the graduating cadets.

“I hope that you can match, if not exceed, what we have seen from your upperclassman, 2nd Lieutenant Jerson Sanchez… We do not expect newcomers to become experts immediately, which is why Lt. Sanchez is impressive. Not even a year after graduating, he has truly shown great inherent strength and skill in fulfilling his duties,” the President said.

Aquino added he even wanted to promote Sanchez to first lieutenant but “current regulations would deem the promotion temporary.” The President said such rule did not make sense to him as promotions should be based on meritocracy.

The President said he was impressed by how Sanchez outwitted a group of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in an encounter in Alabel town in Sarangani on Feb. 16.

Only 22 years old, Sanchez led his platoon in pursuing the rebels for eight hours. The gun battle left seven rebels dead and their comrades left behind nine-high powered firearms, five improvised explosive devices, and other equipment.

Sanchez’s platoon did not have a single casualty.

In his valedictory address, Cadet 1st Class Arwi Martinez, who joined the Army, thanked the people for trusting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PMA.

He expressed his class’ commitment to the pursuit of peace and development for the country even if that meant sacrificing their lives.

In a poignant moment, Martinez addressed his parents in Ilocano and told them that they deserved the award he received. He then went up to this parents and placed his medal around his mother’s neck.

“To the Sinag Lahi Class of 2015: You did not choose to undergo all the difficulties and sacrifices in the PMA, only for all your efforts to be disregarded and wasted. The example of Lt. Sanchez and his fellow soldiers has shown us the fruits of the skilful and honest fulfillment of our responsibilities,” the President said, adding:

“If each and every one of you in Sinag Lahi will take a stand, and use your inherent talents and strength to match, or even surpass, the achievements of those who came before you, then we will be able to leave to the next generations of Filipinos a country that is, without doubt, in a better state than the one in which we found it.”

With 14 months left in office, President Aquino said some people have asked him who would “continue the good work” his administration has begun.

Aquino said his response was “none other than a united Filipino people, all of whom show each other care and compassion.”

“It is clear to all of us: only those playing deaf and blind are those who have not felt the massive transformation our country is experiencing. This transformation came from our people who gave me a chance to render true service; and it is our people who will continue this transformation,” the President said.

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