MANILA, Philippines - It was not President Benigno Aquino III's objective to assign blame when he revealed yesterday that he was deceived about the deadly Special Action Force (SAF) operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. claimed that Aquino's purpose was to make the public understand the events that led to the deaths of 44 SAF commandos during the January 25 operation.
"It's not to heap blame, but to tell the story as it actually happened para maunawaan nung mga kababayan natin iyong buong kaganapan. That is why hindi naman niya pakay talaga doon na manisi," Coloma said in an interview on GMA News TV this morning.
Coloma said Aquino tried to provide context and explain all the circumstances of the botched operation.
"Kasi nga maraming nuances. Napakakumplikado, napaka-risky nung operations at hindi tayo dapat din na mag-over simplify," Coloma explained, saying Aquino was able to point out the weaknesses of the mission.
Aquino spoke at length for the first time about the Mamasapano operation during a prayer gathering for him on Monday at the Palace grounds.
A combative Aquino continued to criticize relieved SAF commander Getulio Napeñas, saying he lacked professionalism for failure to coordinate with the military regarding the Mamasapano mission.
The president said he was made to believe by Napeñas that the Mamasapano operation would be carried out efficiently based on the detailed plan presented to him.
Napeñas' execution of the plan, however, made the operation a "mission impossible," Aquino lamented.
The sacked police official could have also aborted the operation when there were deviations in the plan.
"Siguro 'yung pinaka-generous way of looking at it, maraming wishful thinking si Napeñas as opposed to reality. Pero maliwanag sa akin, binola niya ako," Aquino said.
READ: Aquino: I was fooled on Mamasapano mission