Noy faces more raps over SAF 44 deaths

MANILA, Philippines - Former president Benigno Aquino III is facing three more charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide in connection with the massacre of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in the botched Mamasapano operation.

Three more relatives of the slain SAF members filed criminal charges against Aquino before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

Also named respondents are former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and former SAF chief Getulio Napeñas.

The group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) accompanied Julie Faustino Danao, mother of PO2 Walner Faustino Danao; Celestino Kiangan, father of PO2 Noble Sungay Kiangan and Felecitas Nacino, mother of PO2 Nicky de Castro Nacino in filing the additional complaints.

Two weeks ago, Erlinda Allaga, mother of PO3 Robert Allaga, and Warlito Mejia, father of PO2 Ephraim Mejia, lodged similar cases against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas.  

Aquino, who no longer enjoys immunity from suit, is being charged for his role in the implementation of Oplan Exodus in January 2015 that aimed to neutralize terrorists Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Ahmad Akmad Batabol, alias Basit Usman. 

Relatives of the slain 44 SAF commandos said “Aquino’s criminal negligence consisted of planning Oplan Exodus with gross and inexcusable neglect and thereafter approved the operation knowing it was flawed.”

The new complainants are seeking justice for their slain children who died “brutally bestial deaths” because of the “negligence, imprudence, lack of foresight and lack of skill in the planning, preparation and execution of Oplan Exodus.”

Purisima allegedly committed usurpation of authority since he was under preventive suspension for a different case when the Mamasapano operation was being planned and implemented. 

Napeñas is being charged for “unlawfully taking orders from Purisima, knowing fully that because of the latter’s suspension, he was divested of the legal right to issue orders to his subordinates,” and “for his poor planning and lousy execution of Oplan Exodus.”