Catapang: AFP gave no artillery support to SAF to avoid ‘war’ with MILF

MANILA, Philippines – The  military  did not  grant the artillery  support  requested by the Philippine National  Police Special  Action Force  (PNP-SAF) during the  Mamasapano operation not only because  innocent people would be hit by it, but also because the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) might think that “we are back to war,” Armed Forces chief Gregorio Pio Catapang said on Monday.

Testifying before a joint committee hearing at the Senate, relieved SAF commander Getulio Napenas said that as early as 7:53 a.m. of January 25, 2015, he already requested “artillery support” from the military for his men who were engaged in a heavy firefight during the operation.

He said he first made the request to SAF officer in charge Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño and gave him the grid coordinates of his troops in Mamasapano.

But Napenas said Taliño’s reply to his request was : “Sir, as of now, nega (negative) daw muna  ang artillery…” adding that innocent  people, including children, might be hit by it.

“I also texted General  Espina and General Purisima, the same context  and I gave the location of my  troops…My troops were pinned down and there were casualties. I asked if we can get artillery support,” the relieved official said in Filipino,  responding to queries of Senator Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito.

While there were more than  300 SAF members deployed for the operation, Napenas said the troops were also simultaneously engaged in a firefight with the enemies.

But Catapang, also responding to Ejercito’s questions, said the military responded immediately to the SAF’ request for reinforcement.

“Ang problema po kasi pag humingi kayo ng artillery fire, tatlong bagay  any kailangang maklaro. Nasaan ang kalaban, nasaan ang tropa at dapat may forward observer para sa ganun pag binagsak po yung bomba, e alam natin na ang tatamaan e yung kalaban,” he said.

Asked if it was true that the military considered the ongoing peace talks with the MILF,  Catapang reiterated his earlier statement that the order was to extricate the beleaguered forces, and not to engage the Moro rebels.

“In as much as we have a peace process, we don’t want to endanger these things because pag sinugod po natin ang MILF, they might think that we are back to war. So ayaw po naming mangyari yun dahil parang sunog po yan, kung hindi  po natin na-managed, baka  hanggang sa Lanao, buong Central Mindanao magkaroon na po tayo ng skirmishes sa MILF,” he further said.