Ex-SAF chief: PNoy must pay for sins
Napeñas joined the fun shoot of the Police Regional Office-7 at the Cebu Pistol and Riffle Association (CPRA) firing range in Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City to commemorate the death of the so-called SAF 44.
“He has to own (up to) his responsibility, his actions, and decisions. Wag niyang ipasa sa iba,” Napeñas said.
“Hindi lang iniwan sa ere. Tinapakan pa at diniin pa kasi nga iniwan kami sa ere, namatay yung tao ko at kinasuhan pa, dinis-miss pa, tinanggal pa lahat ng benefits ko. Anong tawag non? Diniin pa at tinapakan pa nang husto,” he said.
The elite policemen were killed in an encounter with an alleged terrorist group at Tukanalipao, Mamasapano. They were in the area to capture terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.
Marwan died during the operation.
Napeñas said they had a go signal from Aquino before carrying the mission out. In the end, Aquino reportedly just left them to dry.
“Proven na approved ang operation. Siya ang nagbigay nang go signal. Proven sumama sa planning preparation - ini execute, proven nandon siya sa Zamboang mino-monitor niya yan… in the end, nagkaproblema, binitawan kami, hindi kami tinulungan.”
“Anong ginawa nilang nasa Zamboanga sila para tulungan kami? Ang daming information na pumupunta sa kanila na kailangan namin ng artillery support… hindi ibinigay hanggang hapon… nagmamakaawa kami… ngayon, sabihin niya na wala siyang kasalanan? Taong bayan ang maghusga sa kanya,” Napeñas added.
Napeñas said he is happy with the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte to reopen the investigation into the massacre. At least, he said, the truth will come out, justice will be served, and the “real killer” will be punished.
Napeñas said the re-investigation will open doors to those who were not able to say their piece during the previous probe.
“Para yung mga tao na hindi nagkaroon nang pagkakataon na magsalita, yung nagkulang ang sasabihin, sana kompletuhin na nila. Yung hindi nagsabi nang totoo, may pagkakataon pa na bawiin at ituwid ang mali nila alanag-alang sa 44 na namatay,” he said
Inconsistencies
Napeñas said there were inconsistencies in the statements of Aquino when he said he ordered him to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He said it was former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima who told him that he will coordinate with General Gregorio Catapang, the chief of staff of AFP.
“Hindi ako pwede dumiretso kay General Catapang. Dadaan ako kay Director Espina, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, kasi that is the protocol, SAF ako, eh. Hindi naman ako pwedeng pumunta sa chief of staff ng Armed Forces without passing the chief PNP or OIC chief PNP… nakita mo ang inconsistencies ng sinabi niya?” Napeñas said.
“Sabi niya hindi siya sumama sa planning preparation. Ano pala pag-present ko sa plano sa Malacañang na nagbigay pa siya ng comments? Hindi ba planning preparation yun?” he added.
Napeñas said the US only provided intelligence at that time - real time intelligence, humanitarian and medical mission, and training within the agreement of the US and the Philippines.
He said the US had no combat troops on the ground as they were at the Tactical Operations Center only.
“I would like to clarify walang combat troops sa ground, walang namatay na foreigner o Amerikano, walang nasugatan na foreigner o Amerikano, walang combat troops na foreigner o Amerikano sa grounds because that is not within the agreement and I know that kaya ako mismo ang magpipigil na pumunta don sa ground kasi violation yan,” he said.
The proceeds of the fun shoot, which was sponsored by the Bureau of Customs, will be given to the families of Police Officers 2 Windel Candano and Romeo Cempron, SAF members. — Mylen P. Manto and Sheilla Mae Cañete (FREEMAN)
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