SAF trooper’s dad argues: Roxas liable too

By: Julie S. Alipala - 10 years ago

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

ZAMBOANGA CITY – What about Mar?

This was what the father of one of the slain Special Action Forces officer during the January 25 Mamasapano clash asked as he noted that Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II appeared to have been spared from liability over the debacle.

John Anniban, father of Senior Insp. Cyrus Anniban, told the Inquirer that in all of the inquiries conducted on the Mamasapano incident, Roxas had not been included in the list of responsible officials.

He said among the inquiries, where Roxas came out clean was that of the PNP Board of Inquiry.

“He ordered the inquiry. I read the BOI report and there was nothing in it that blamed him even if he knew about the operation from the start,” Anniban said.

Prior to the release of the BOI report, Roxas said he was not aware of the full details of the operation.

But then, Anniban said based on the chronology of events that the investigations had pieced up, Roxas knew about the operation and its aftermath. He was in fact here on January 25 with Pres. Benigno Aquino III.

Anniban also said Roxas was uncannily silent on implicating Aquino and for that, “he already incriminated himself.”

“I only salute (PNP Acting Chief Leonardo) Espina for his integrity, sacrificing his career for truth and love of country,” he said.

Anniban said he wanted to keep his silence over the result of the investigations in deference to the advice of his son’s colleagues.

“I want to keep quiet but the (result) of this investigation added pain to us. I know that no matter how many inquiries were held, my son would not live again. What I wanted is for Pnoy, (resigned PNP chief Alan) Purisima, (sacked SAF chief Getulio) Napeñas and Roxas (to be) held liable for what happened,” Anniban said.

Former Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Jose Manuel Dalipe said those who were trying to come out clean by keeping their silence on Aquino’s liability must also be held accountable.

“People around the President should always update him of what is happening most especially his Department Secretaries. Those who withhold information from Pres. Pnoy should be held liable for the tragic consequences,” Dalipe said.

Dr. Grace Rebollos, president of the Western Mindanao State University here, said Roxas’ silence on Aquino’s liability over the Mamasapano incident must be due to his desire to become president.

“He is still hoping for Pnoy’s endorsement and blessing for 2016, for his dream is to become the President of the Philippines, just like his grandfather,” Zamboanga del Sur Representative Antonio Cerilles said, echoing Rebollos’ statement.