‘Peace process’ blamed
Lack of info
Del Rosario insisted that the reason why the Army could not grant the request for artillery fire was the failure of Taliño and Mangahis to give him the exact location of the pinned down SAF commandos.
Del Rosario had previously criticized the two SAF commanders for planning the exit plan on the fly and that they were using a map derived from Google.
The sacked SAF chief, Director Getulio Napeñas, denied the map was from Google, saying the tactical map was provided by the United States.
Pangilinan concurred with Del Rosario’s claim, pointing out that it was only in the afternoon of Jan. 25 that he learned there were actually two SAF companies on the run in Mamasapano and needing artillery support.
But Taliño insisted that he clearly explained the SAF position to Del Rosario during their first meeting.
“It’s not true that we could not answer his requests for more details on the number and location of the troops. This was a life-and-death situation we were talking about,” Taliño said.
Mangahis claimed that they gave the coordinates and situation of the commandos even before there were casualties among the troops.
He said the Army knew the area where the SAF troops were trapped like the back of its hand.
Taliño said it was not true that civilians were in the way because residents fled the area after hearing gunfire around 7 a.m.
Telltale signs of stand down
Going by the findings of the PNP board of inquiry, several lawmakers tried to poke holes into the military’s version of the event.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the police report was “littered with telltale signs of a stand down” order, citing Pangilinan’s order to hold artillery support due to lack of information on the position of troops, civilians and armed groups; the detailed map of the SAF and that grid coordinates were available in the early morning of Jan. 25; Pangilinan fired white phosphorus at 6 p.m. even though the position of the SAF and the enemies were not yet determined; helicopters were available but were not allowed to fly either for reinforcement or rescue; and the Division Reconaissance Company (DRC) was already a few hundred meters away from the pinned down SAF in the morning but were suddenly withdrawn.
Aquino accountable
Colmenares said the President should be made to account for the apparent stand down order from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., as he was in control of the operations.
Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police official, accused Del Rosario of being “less than candid” with the House investigators as it was clearly stated in the police board of inquiry report that all details necessary to fire artillery at 11 a.m. were necessary even if it was just for white phosphorus.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, a former Marine captain, took up the cudgels for the military, criticizing the SAF for its poor planning, lack of exit strategies, and missing several opportunities to abort the mission after losing the element of surprise when the commandos arrived late at the target site.
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