Secrecy of Mamasapano operation only for AFP—Napeñas

Relieved Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — In the mission plan for “Operation Exodus,” prior secrecy for the Mamasapano operation was only for units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the ground, said the relieved commander of the Special Action Force (SAF), who led the operation.

Relieved SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. told the Senate hearing Tuesday that only AFP units were to be informed “time-on-target” regarding the mission.

Napeñas said informing the AFP and military units beforehand would compromise the sensitive operation.

Based on the discussion presented by Napeñas before senators, time-on-target meant information about a mission would only be disclosed to concerned parties when the operation was underway or the operating unit was already at the target.

The former SAF chief made the disclosure amid questions on why the mission aimed at capturing terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, was kept secret from Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

In Monday’s hearing, Napeñas disclosed that then-suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima told him not to tell Roxas and Espina about the operation beforehand.

“Huwag mo munang sabihin sa dalawa. Saka na kapag nandoon na. Ako na ang bahala kay Catapang.” (Don’t tell the two beforehand. Tell them later when its ongoing. I will take care of [AFP Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio] Catapang) Napeñas quoted Purisima as telling him.

Purisima said it was merely an advice not to keep Roxas and Espina out of the loop and not a directive.

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