Demoralization

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 3): Demoralization

PNP, SAF men question use of 'misencounter'; brass squabble

Demoralization is spreading fast among the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the killing of 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) last Sunday in Maguindanao and the seeming leadership row among the top PNP brass.

Tribune sources at Camp Crame said that the morale of the entire 150,000-strong PNP, not only the SAF, is “very low” following the “massacre” of the 44 SAF members, including six junior officers, during a clash with combined Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The debacle, sources said, also brought out publicly the apparent row among top PNP officers –suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

Malacanang, meanwhile, said it is ready to strike at the BIFF amid threats of retaliation over the loss of their comrades while continuing to avoid the mention of the MILF and its accountability in the massacre.

Members of the PNP and SAF also met with Interior Secretary Manuel 

Roxas II yesterday at the PNP headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig where the foremost question asked on Roxas was the failure of the government to coordinate a quick reinforcement on the beleaguered SAF members.

Another question that stood out was about the term “misencounter” that the administration including President Aquino had used to describe the incident.

“The Armed Forces and all forces of the government are ready to fight against such intent and to assure the safety of the people. The Armed Forces’ is in full readiness,” Presidential communication secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on radio.

Coloma also reacted to a question on whether the government is heeding the call of General Edilberto Adan of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) for Aquino to demonstrate more resolve in getting justice for the slain SAF troopers.

Coloma was quick to defend the chief executive, saying President Aquino’s determination is full to achieve justice, as the rest of the government’s units.
“The timing of expressing may had been different from that of the President’s statements. But, I have seen the statement of the AGFO and other groups and I have seen that it is alike in the want that justice be served on this incident,” Coloma said.

Coloma also refrained from answering whether the government will rule out pardon or amnesty for the rebels behind the killing of the 44 SAF troopers in Mindanao.

“What is important is that truth be found out, ensure who is responsible, and there be a process of research, prosecution and litigation when they had been charged before the courts,” he said.

The Palace official said that the filing of cases will follow after evidence had been found for the case to stand in court.

“We lost 44 young, dedicated officers in a mission to capture an international terrorist and a bomber, and we see nothing but finger pointing,” a Camp Crame source told The Tribune, referring to the now called “SAF 44” who were deployed to capture Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman.

The SAF was tapped to implement “Operation Plan Exodus” aimed at capturing Marwan and Usman in Barangay Pidsadawan, Maguindanao last Sunday. However, the special operation triggered a day-long clash between the SAF and MILF and BIFF fighters.

At the end of the firefight, 44 SAF members were recovered dead, some of them bore signs of mutilations, stripped of their uniforms and their firearms stolen.

“Our morale is very low,” he added.

“Who would not be demoralized with this huge casualty? These young men were only following orders. There should really be an honest to goodness investigation…those found liable should be meted with corresponding sanctions,” another police source said.

“This is one of the biggest casualties we suffered in a single battle in recent memory, and we lost 44 young officers. We are mourning,” a third source said.

Director Getulio Napenas, erstwhile SAF chief, was immediately relieved from his post after the operation. SAF deputy commander Chief Supt. Noli Talino was designated as officer in charge.

“We are demoralized. We want justice for our fallen comrades,” a junior SAF officer said.

Worse, the first source said that the operation was kept from Espina and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. Both Espina and Roxas publicly admitted that the SAF operation “did not reach the PNP command group.”

“It is now apparent that there is leadership problem in the organization,” the source said, adding “this should be address by higher headquarters immediately.”

There were reports stating that Purisima, who is serving a six-month suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman, was the one who orchestrated the bungled SAF operation. He is yet to issue official statement on the matter.

Purisima is reportedly in Saipan to attend a function of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines in which he is the Grand Master. His return to the country is still unknown.

Roxas has already created a Board of Inquiry to dig deeper into the issue.
Earlier, the 4,000-strong PNP Academy Alumni Association Inc. threatened to call for a mass leave among its members to “dramatize” their anger over the killing of the “SAF 44”, six of whom are graduates of PNPA.

Last Friday, more than 1,000 PNPA graduates also held a sympathy march from Fort Bonifacio to Camp Bagong Diwa where necrological services was held in honor of the fallen SAF members.

The 10,000-strong Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) has also expressed sympathy to the fallen SAF members as it called for an investigation of the matter.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), meanwhile, raised the possibility that the Maguindanao operations that resulted in the slaying of the SAF commandos was funded through Aquino’s P300 million intelligence fund.

Bayan said that the Mamasapano operation involving 392 SAF troopers would require funding and logistics. The task of transporting SAF elements from different parts of the country would require a considerable amount.

“If the operation was not run via the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and the PNP, then someone else must have authorized the funding. The approval can only come from one other source, Malacanang. The funding could have come from the unaudited P300 million intelligence and confidential funds of the President. It would then be easy for Aquino to deny involvement,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.

“When the President has control of such unaudited funds, it is very easy for him to bypass other government agencies and embark on covert operations that can have disastrous consequences,” he added.

The group is also demanding accountability from Aquino, Purisima and the US government for the carnage.

“The top three most accountable for the Mamasapano carnage are Aquino, Purisima and the US government. They were the brains of the operations. They were the ones calling the shots. They were the ones who conspired to violate the chain of command and imperil the SAF troopers, the civilians and the peace talks,” Reyes said.

“Aquino is trying to appease public outrage by ordering the filing of charges against some MILF and BIFF commanders. This however does little to uncover the truth behind the Mamasapano operation. The public is demanding accountability from the highest official of the land for authorizing a covert operation, under the direction of a foreign government, undermining the peace process and sacrificing the lives of the SAF and local residents,” he added.

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno called on Filipinos to direct their anger over the death of 44 commandos and five civilians at Aquino.

“We are calling on Filipinos to direct our anger over the death of the SAF 44 at Aquino, the comman-death in chief. The PNP-SAF’s operation in Mamasapano was doomed to fail, and the fault lies squarely with Aquino,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairman.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also has intensified security operations to thwart possible retaliatory attacks in the aftermath of the killing of Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, last Sunday in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

This, as the military has received information that the BIFF and other lawless elements have been mobilizing in Central Mindanao.

Col. Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said that the military is exerting all efforts to bring back normalcy in Central Mindanao following the day-long clash between the police’s elite SAF and combined BIFF and MILF forces in Mamasapano.

The SAF “special operation” resulted in the killing of Marwan, top leader of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and 44 SAF members, including six junior officers.

“Following the developments last Sunday at Mamasapano, the AFP has elevated its alert levels and this has continued up to now especially after information of BIFF and other lawless elements mobilizing has been received,” said Padilla.

“All efforts are now being undertaken to ease tensions and bring normalcy back to the area. In the meantime, checkpoints and security in public places have been increased to ensure public safety,” he added.

Marwan, who have stayed in Mindanao after the 2002 Bali, Indonesia bombings, have established links with various lawless elements in southern Philippines, including the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group and the BIFF.

For his part, Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said that the 125,000-strong military is ready to face any threat posed by lawless elements.

At the same time, Cabunoc called on the public to assist government authorities in the continuing hunt against Marwan’s henchman , Basit Usman, who reportedly evaded the raid launched by the SAF last Sunday.

“Our troops in the field are ready to confront any armed aggression by lawless elements,” said Cabunoc.

“We have enjoined the people including those who are residing in MILF communities to help the government forces in arresting Basit Usman and his cohorts from the BIFF,” added Cabunoc.

The intensified security operations in Mindanao, particularly in Maguindanao province, also came following reports that the BIFF, which reportedly lost six fighters during the clash with the SAF.

Capt, Joanne Petinglay, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), said that the command has intensified checkpoint operations along major supply routes (MSRs) in Central Mindanao to thwart any attempt by the BIFF.

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