What else is there to say about the Mamasapano debacle?
“We won’t know until the day of the hearing what could still be added by the senators or what else do they want to know and if there is evidence or basis for their questions. At this point, it’s very speculative because all we have are sort of thoughts being put out by some senators, but up to now I don’t see where there would be any difference at all,” said Malacañang spokesperson Manuel Quezon III.
Quezon expressed confidence that the same version of events surrounding the botched operation against international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” last year will be tackled at the reopening of the Senate investigation into the massacre.
“We’re very confident because we have put forward the version of events and the facts and the testimony,” Quezon said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
The Senate, at the behest of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, will again look into the Mamasapano debacle in which 44 elite police commandos lost their lives when they were ambushed by various Muslim rebel groups, including the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front with which the Aquino administration has signed a peace agreement.
The investigation last year led by the committee on public order had concluded that President Aquino was ultimately responsible for the debacle, primarily because he allowed then PNP Director General Alan Purisima to participate in the planning of the operation even if Purisima was at the time under suspension by the Ombudsman.
No reason for affidavit
Malacañang did not see any reason for the President to submit an affidavit to the Senate, Quezon said.
“Let us not forget that the Senate already had a very extensive hearing which was attended by members of the executive (branch), the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). They gave their testimonies and information that was needed by our lawmakers in aid of legislation,” he said.
Ruling Liberal Party (LP) politicians believe that Enrile’s move to reopen the investigation is meant as “payback” for the Aquino administration’s move to detain him and his chief aide, Gigi Reyes, for their alleged complicity in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.
Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said he would have thought that Enrile’s detention would have allowed him to think more broadly about why he had been charged with plunder.
“I can only speculate that this is a payback for what happened to him and his chief of staff,” said Erice in a text message.
Enrile’s lack of wisdom
By threatening to reveal new evidence to pin down the President, Enrile showed his “lack of wisdom despite his experience,” said Erice.
Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas said Enrile’s move was a blatant political maneuver meant to diminish the President’s endorsement value for LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas and favor Enrile’s candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo doubted Enrile’s motive based on his track record. “History has taught us that his being a political master is beyond question,” he said.
Mr. Aquino will confer on Monday, the first anniversary of the Mamasapano massacre, the Medal of Valor on two of the slain SAF commandos, Senior Insp. Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron.
Quezon said the President will also confer the PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal on the rest of the SAF 44.