Palace denies JPE claims

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang denied yesterday the claim of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile that President Aquino was directly involved in the Mamasapano operation last year and did not do anything to prevent the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said Aquino already told the people that he “did what must be done” as President and commander-in-chief to ensure that the lives of the “Oplan Exodus” operatives would not be put at risk.

Coloma added that the President’s actions have been the subject of a number of investigations.

“There have been many speeches, public statements where he (Aquino) discussed what he knew about the incident in Mamasapano and, in all instances, the government has been open and will continue to be open in providing statements and explanations, because our objective is to let the people know the whole truth about what happened in Mamasapano,” Coloma said in a press briefing.

Enrile earlier claimed to have evidence that would back his allegations, saying he would present this when the investigation is reopened.

“The government is ready to answer and explain once the investigation is conducted,” Coloma said.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said the President could send a videotaped testimony if he does not want to directly answer questions by personally appearing before the Senate.

He believes that if Enrile meant what he said about new evidence on Aquino’s involvement in the Mamasapano incident, then that “bombshell is going to hurt the President.”

Coloma said Aquino himself admitted to not having a sense of closure on the incident as the latter looked for an alternative truth or version of the events.

The alternative version was that the SAF operatives were not the ones who killed international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan – a version that was later proven to be wrong – prompting Aquino to vow for justice for the slain policemen.

“That is why we are saying that in all instances, the government has been open and forthright in its position and is ready to explain at the right forum and at the right time,” Coloma said.

Aquino maintained he was fed the wrong information by those in charge of the operation, particularly by then suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and relieved SAF commander Getulio Napeñas.

He claimed the two officers disobeyed his orders on coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and lied to him about the developments on the ground.

Aquino said he would never allow those in the uniformed services to embark on a suicide mission, but the version of the plan presented to him convinced him that adequate preparations were made and that it would be executed correctly.

Almost a year after the incident, the government is still looking for witnesses who could help identify the people who killed the nine members of the 84th Special Action Company (SAC).

A source said no one from Barangay Pidsandawan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao wants to give any testimony to government investigators due to fear of retaliation.

He explained that prosecutors could not file any charges against other members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups who might have been involved in the killing of the nine SAF members.

The Department of Justice earlier declared it was set to resolve the complex charges of direct assault with murder against 90 commanders and members of the MILF, BIFF and private armed groups tagged in the killing of 35 members of the 55th SAC in Barangay Tukanalipao.

Assistance released

Amid reports of complaints by some relatives of the 44 slain SAF commandos that they have not received benefits, the Philippine National Police (PNP) urged the families to coordinate with police officials to process their claims.

As of Jan. 16, the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management said more than P70.58 million has been released to the beneficiaries.

Its head, Sr. Supt. Emmanuel Abu, said P7.68 million was released in the form of Special Financial Assistance, P9.62 million in commutation of accumulated leave, P1.14 million for back earned pension and P526,801 monthly pension.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) also released P14,467,155 for burial and gratuity; P490,193 for monthly pension to married SAF commandos and P1,108,448 in back earned pension.

At least P11 million was released by the Office of the President, aside from the additional P250,000 it gave to the family of each slain commando and the P24.5 million donated by the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI).

Aside from the monetary award, the slain Sr. Insp. Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron were recommended for the Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan).

Tabdi was leader of the assault team of the 84th SAC during Oplan Exodus in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano. He was also the one who cut Marwan’s index finger to prove mission accomplishment.

Cempron, on the other hand, serve as lead gunner of the blocking force of the 55th SAC that assisted the assault team. Before his death, he helped to save PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone survivor of the 36-member SAC team.

Abu said a Medal of Valor awardee is entitled to a lifetime monthly gratuity of P20,000 separate from any other benefits or pension.

He said all the SAF 44 members were posthumously promoted, with 42 of them given Medalya ng Kabayanihan (PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal).

For the 30 survivors, Abu said 29 were granted special promotion and given the Medalya ng Kabayanihan. However, only 25 availed themselves of the promotion as the four opted for regular promotion.

Supt. Raymund Train was granted the Medalya ng Kabayanihan while 15 wounded commandos were conferred the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal).

On educational assistance, Abu said 46 dependent children were given scholarship grants for kindergarten with P10,000 for this school year and for college with P30,000 per semester.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez urged Malacañang to fulfill the promise of assistance to the families of the SAF 44 after two widows complained of not yet receiving benefits from government.

Reports said Merlyn Gamutan, wife of Insp. Joey Gamutan, and Virgie Viernes, wife of PO1 Oliebeth Viernes, were among those who have yet to receive assistance from the government.

“The Aquino administration should answer the complaints on the

undelivered aid by accounting for the supposed P80-million cash extended to the victims’ loved ones, scholarship program and other things,” Romualdez said. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez, Ghio Ong