Ex-SAF chief Napeñas joins senatorial race

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) chief General Getulio Napeñas on Friday joins the senatorial race as he filed his certificate of candidacy for senator.

Napeñas will run under the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Last July, Napeñas retired from the police service and was said to seek Senate seat under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party.

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He changed his mind, however, and decided to run under senatorial slate of Vice President Jejomar "Jojo" Binay's party, saying Binay was the one of those who recognized the SAF 44.

Napeñas said his decision to run for senator is due to the public clamor.

He also wanted to provide justice for the 44 SAF commandos who were killed in the Mamasapano incident.

After being involved in the Mamasapano incident last January, Napeñas was charged negligence of duty.

The Office of the Ombudsman also recommended to file charges of grave misconduct, violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

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