A member of the House of Representatives on Thursday said military officials speak out at House hearings on the January 25 Mamasapano clash to give balance to the public's perception of the incident, where they may have been put in a bad light for the delay in artillery support for the elite police.
In an interview with News To Go, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said the officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are probably airing their side at the hearings because sacked Philippine National Police-Special Action Force chief Dir. Getulio Napeñas "continues to blame" them.
[Video news report]
"Ang nakikita ho natin, in as much as the Armed Forces wants to restrain itself, Gen. Napeñas continues to blame the Armed Forces. That is why I think the Armed Forces airs its side... para magka-balanse sa pananaw ng taumbayan. Kasi made-demonize ang Armed Forces kung hindi sila magsasalita," he said.
Army and police officials tussled anew over details of the delayed artillery support at the resumption of the House hearing on the incident on Wednesday. The exchange of conflicting statements began after Napeñas was asked to present again the grid coordinates he and SAF officials claimed they showed when they asked for reinforcement.
Alejano acknowledged that both organizations are not perfect, and there is a need "to review our national security strategy."
He added, "Gusto lang sana nating maiwasan ang pagsisisi sa isa't isa dahil meron na ngang namatay.... We have to review our national security strategy and the mandate of the Armed Forces and the PNP. We should look [into] whether the PNP is ready to take over the role."
‘Capacitate’ to help
Alejano, a former officer of the Philippine Navy, pointed out that giving the AFP a chance to air its side is not a way to discredit the SAF, but to answer issues like why three SAF companies on the roadside failed to rescue their beleaguered comrades during the clash.
"We have to let the people know kung ano ang tunay na nangyari. 'Di natin dini-discredit ang SAF. Kahit gaano kaganda ang plano, hindi maaalis ang posibilidad na may mamamatay. Dapat himayin dahil lumalabas, kasalanan ng Armed Forces bakit maraming namatay sa SAF," he said.
He added: "Ang unang-unang may responsibility na sumagip sa SAF ay kapwa SAF na kasama sa plano at may tasking 'yan."
Furthermore, Alejano said that AFP would provide assistance, much more to the PNP with their long-standing partnership, but they could only provide swift response with sufficient information.
"We should also remember na kailangang i-capacitate ang tumutulong para efficiently makatulong. Ang artillery, 'di natin basta-basta binabagsak 'yan dahil may nadadamay. May namamatay dahil sa friendly fire kaya maingat tayo sa paggamit ng artillery natin," he said.
Napeñas, Purisima, US involvement
Alejano also said resigned PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima's role in Oplan Exodus was "questionable," having been the one to bring Napeñas before the President to present the mission plan.
"I believe hindi siya dapat kasama diyan," he said.
He added: "Sa part ni [Dir.] Napeñas, hindi naman siya makapagsabi ng hindi. May powers si Gen. Purisima na dalhin siya sa Pangulo. 'Di na siya nagtanong [kasi] may authority."
On the participation of the US in the operation, Alejano pointed out that their help in intelligence gathering and technical support is part of the agreement between them and the Philippines.
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