US not involved in SAF operation, only in retrieval of bodies – Palace

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 2): US not involved in SAF operation, only in retrieval of bodies – Palace

The United States was not involved in the covert government operation against two terror suspects in Maguindanao that left 44 police commandos dead, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.

“Wala pong katotohanan yan (There is no truth to that),” Coloma said in a radio interview when asked if the police operation was aided by the US government.

It was the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) that carried out the mission, Coloma said. The US had a role in the retrieval of the dead and wounded after the bloody clash between government forces and armed rebels in Maguindanao, he said.

“Pero yung mismong operasyon na yun, yung pag-execute nun, wala tayong hiniling na tulong dyan (But in the actual operation, in executing the mission, we did not seek US assistance), the Malacanang official said.

Some lawmakers have called for a swift and transparent inquiry into the bloody clash between government forces and armed rebels in Maguindanao, including the alleged role of the United States in the botched operation.

Reports said the Americans shared intelligence data on the whereabouts of the two terror suspects with multi-million-dollar prices on their heads in Maguindanao. After the Maguindanao clash, US soldiers were also seen responding to the local military’s request to evacuate the dead and wounded.

The SAF troopers clashed with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) forces while pursuing terror suspect Zulkipli Bin Hir of Malaysia, also known as Marwan, and his Filipino protegé, Abdul Basit Usman, in Maguidanao. The mission reportedly succeeded in killing Marwan but ended with the death of 44 policemen.

Last Friday, President Aquino pledged that the government will exert efforts to pursue truth and justice in the Maguindanao incident, saying he feels the pain of the families of the slain cops. Aquino told the grieving families that a better planned operation has been readied to hunt down Usman, who escaped during the clash.

A police board of inquiry has been formed to investigate the Maguindanao incident and determine those responsible, Aquino added.

“We will do our utmost to gain justice for all those who perished and for the loved ones they left behind,” added the President who sported a black armband during the necrological service for the slain SAF troopers at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

GOV’T IS READY

Coloma also said government forces are ready for possible retaliatory attacks by rogue Muslim rebels following the reported death of a foreign terror suspect during a police operation in Maguindanao, Malacañang assured on Sunday.

Coloma Jr. said security forces would continue to strengthen the country’s defense and protect the people from any security threat.

Zulkipli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan, was reportedly neutralized by the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers in an operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week. The anti-terror raid however ended tragically when 44 policemen were killed in an ensuing firefight with around 700 armed rebels reportedly coddling Marwan.

“Handa po ang Sandatahang Lakas at lahat ng puwersa ng pamahalaan para labanan po ang ganyang balak at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan [The Armed Forces and other government forces are ready to thwart such threats and ensure the safety of our people],” Coloma said over government radio.

President Aquino earlier ordered authorities to prepare a more effective plan to apprehend Abdul Basit Usman, the other terror suspect who escaped the Maguindanao encounter last January 25.

“I am a man of my word. Capturing Basit Usman is number one on our list of priorities,” the President said in Filipino during the memorial service for the slain policemen at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. “We will prove that the law truly prevails in the Philippines. I assure you, we will get Usman,” he added.

http://www.mb.com.ph/us-not-involved-in-saf-operation-only-in-retrieval-of-bodies-palace/