Palace to Enrile: Aquino acted responsibly

Malacañang defended President Benigno Aquino III anew on Wednesday amid the ongoing Senate hearing on the Mamasapano operation.

“President Aquino had always acted responsibly and faced squarely all matters pertaining to the Mamasapano incident,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to media.

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile has claimed that Aquino is only “[shielding] himself from any responsibility and accountability for the debacle,” which left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers dead.

Enrile earlier vowed to prove that Aquino had direct involvement in the operation conducted January 25 last year.

READ: Enrile out to prove Aquino’s ‘direct’ involvement in Mamasapano

While the target, international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir (alias Marwan), was killed during the covert operation, more than 60 people died due to an alleged misencounter between the SAF and various armed groups.

Among the groups tagged were the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was engaged in peace negotiations with the Philippine government, and the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Aquino has been blamed for the incident after he was accused of allowing a suspended official, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima, to direct the operation.

At the start of today’s hearing, Enrile raised several issues against the President. He said Aquino “actively and directly participated” in the preparation of Oplan Exodus, “compartmented” the operation to himself and Purisima only, was fully aware of what was happening during the operation, disregarded the command system of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is “hiding behind Purisima,” and did not make any effective decision to prevent the “slaughter” of the SAF troopers.

READ: Enrile lays down 8 issues vs Aquino at new Mamasapano probe