Closure elusive The nation remembered the slain Special Action Force 44 with a ceremony at the SAF headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan yesterday led by Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde and SAF director Chief Supt. Amado Empiso. Four years have passed and those responsible for the debacle have yet to face justice. AL PADILLA">Closure elusive The nation remembered the slain Special Action Force 44 with a ceremony at the SAF headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan yesterday led by Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde and SAF director Chief Supt. Amado Empiso. Four years have passed and those responsible for the debacle have yet to face justice. AL PADILLA

Former President Aquino should bear the brunt of culpability on the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos four years ago in the infamous Mamasapano debacle, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said.

“There is no doubt, that’s the doing of Aquino… He sacrificed the lives of 44 young policemen to please America,” he added, stressing Malaysian terrorist Marwan’s $5 million reward offered by the United States.

The Palace also prodded the Ombudsman to speed up the probe of the incident after the case was reopened following former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales recommending light charges of graft and usurpation of official functions against Aquino, dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima and relieved SAF Chief Getulio Napeñas Jr.

It was on 25 January 2015 when 44 members of the PNP’s elite unit perished in an operation called “Oplan Exodus”

to apprehend Zufkili Abdhir, also known as “Marwan” and Abdul Basit Usman.

Enrile said Aquino should answer for the massacre of 44 SAF commandos in launching Oplan “Exodus” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Enrile, in an interview yesterday, stressed that Aquino was responsible for the botched police operation when he and Purisima kept the details of the mission for themselves.

When the situation went against what they expected, Enrile said Aquino was “shocked.”

“It’s really saddening that four years after, the real culprits were not made accountable. It’s the fault of former President Noynoy Aquino,” Enrile told the Daily Tribune in a telephone interview.

“He was confused, then he just abandoned the SAF there,” he added.

Enrile was referring to the 44 SAF commandos who were killed during daylong clashes with combined Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups in barangays Tukanalipao and Pidsandawan in Mamasapano on 25 January 2015.

The beleaguered SAF commandos radioed for air and artillery support as early as 7 a.m. when they were engaged by the Muslim rebels after neutralizing Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, two hours earlier.

“He was so shocked, he did not know what to do,” Enrile said.

He cited Aquino’s direct communication with Purisima, who was then serving a suspension by the Ombudsman, regarding Oplan “Exodus” was a huge mistake.

He said former SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas was made the escape goat.

While still a senator, Enrile revived the inquiry into the Mamasapano massacre. “But Aquino’s allies protected him,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Ombudsman should “resolve with dispatch” the charges filed against the perpetrators of the gruesome crime four years ago.

Panelo added such a tragic incident will not happen again under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

“A grieving nation remembers the tragedy that befell the PNP officers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. We pay homage to the bravery and heroism of the 44 uniformed personnel of the Special Action Force known as the Fallen SAF 44,” Panelo relayed in a press statement.

“Even as we continue to pray for the eternal repose of the souls of these gallant heroes, who were recipients posthumously of the PNP Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) and as we share in the grief of their bereaved families, we urge the Office of the Ombudsman to resolve with dispatch the case filed against those who recklessly placed them in mortal peril,” he added.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. (Facebook Image) Render justice

Panelo said the victims’ families – and the whole nation – demand nothing less than justice and called on the prosecutors to leave no stone unturned in putting those responsible behind bars.

A police board that investigated the encounter cited lack of coordination between the SAF and Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as poor planning in capturing the foreign fugitive.

“Never again will we allow a recurrence of such tragic event. Those in authority must learn from the mistakes of the past otherwise those valorous men in uniform would have died in vain,” Panelo stressed.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also called on SAF members to make great sacrifices to effectively perform their mandate of serving and protecting the country.

“I was once a SAF (Special Action Force) trooper like the rest of you and I know what lies in the heart of every trooper. For us, no mission is too dangerous to undertake. No trooper ever backs out from an operation, however risky and dangerous it might be,” the PNP chief said in his speech during the Day of National Remembrance in honor of the “SAF 44” at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday.

Albayalde also paid tribute to the families of the fallen members of the police’s elite force.

“While no amount of words or tributes may ease the pain in their hearts, we want them to know that the sacrifice of their loved ones will never be in vain. Our gratitude is immense and our prayers remain fervent as we move forward to carry on with the mission to serve and protect our nation,” he said.

Albayalde also urged SAF members to manifest valor and core values in executing every mission.

“Let our police ideals of service, honor and justice guide your way as you serve and protect our countrymen,” he said.

He also commended the SAF members for their unwavering commitment to serve, especially in helping secure important events in the country.

“We cannot relax our guard nor take it easy. There is never an end to the work that we do and we are not letting our guard down. A few months from now, our competence on law enforcement and security will once again be put to a test with the conduct of midterm national and local elections. The Filipino people think highly of the Special Action Force, so let’s not fail them,” Albayalde said.

He also assured the people justice would be given to the bereaved families of the SAF 44.

Also gracing the event were newly installed SAF acting Director Chief Supt. Amando Clifton Empiso and National Capital Region Police Office head Director Guillermo Eleazar.