Saturday, February 21, 2015

Phil. Army chief defends soldiers’ action

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): Phil. Army chief defends soldiers’ action

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., has expressed dismay over reports blaming the army for the sad plight of the 44 fallen members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

Recent reports that came out from the Senate investigations into the fate of the 44 PNP-SAF troopers have tended to lay the blame for the high death casualties in the Mamasapano incident with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on the failure of the army to come to the aid of the beleaguered police operatives.

In fact, even relieved PNP-SAF Chief Director Getulio Napeñas had claimed in his affidavit submitted to the Board of Inquiry (BOI) that the absence of artillery support has contributed to the high death toll.

In a recent command conference held at the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry (“Kaugnay”) Division based at Fort Magsaysay here, Catapang clarified that army ground troops came to the succor of PNP-SAF troopers on that ill-fated day.

He said the army troops snatched from sure death the lives of 11 SAF members who were injured after they engaged unfriendly forces during said encounter while 17 other SAF troopers were evacuated from the combat area and into safe grounds.

In all, he said the 28 SAF commandos are alive to tell their story of the gallant stand taken by the combined forces of army and police.

Catapang, has, however downplayed the lack of proper appreciation and regard for their contribution in extricating the 28 SAF troopers from the field of conflict by saying that this is part of the risk of their profession.

In this regard, he exhorted his men to do their job in the best professional manner in the service of the people and the Republic.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=737719

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.