Natuel opines: No "misencounter, lack of coordination"

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines —  Senior Superintendent Mariano Natuel Jr., OIC director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, shared his personal observation on the massacre of at least 49 members of the PNP Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.

Natuel, trying to appear during a media interview, lamented that he personally believed that the Sunday assault on the government's elite force was clearly "planned," as he scoffed at reports that it was a "misencounter."

Natuel pointed out circumstances, based on media reports and other information he had gathered, that led him to believe that it was a "well-planned ambush," such as cops wearing their uniforms, there were snipers everywhere from the attackers, and worst of all, an "overkill" to include the beheading, mutilation and further shooting of already dead commandos.

In a misencounter, usually what happens is that the supposed "enemy" is unidentified, Natuel said, adding that there was a deliberate intent to kill. He also slammed what was reported in the media of the "lack of coordination" between the MILF and the PNP SAF that resulted in the massacre.

The PNP has the discretion on how it deems necessary the serving of court warrants in a particular area and, while the Maguindanao and Negros Oriental scenarios differ, there are certain procedures to follow, Natuel said. There are instances when the police become careful with whom they coordinated their operations to avoid a "leak," especially when high-profile subjects are involved, he said.

The NOrPPO policemen have joined the nationwide mourning and massive condemnation of the killing of SAF members, while hunting down wanted "terrorists." Flags at the police camp in Sibulan and in other police stations in the province were flown at half-staff. They also wore black armbands as a sign of sympathy to and in solidarity with the families of their fallen comrades.

One of those identified killed, in what is now tagged as the country's largest single loss of life in recent history, was Police Officer 3 Junrel Kibete, who hails from Sta. Catalina town in Negros Oriental and was recruited to the PNP SAF. — Judy Flores Partlow (FREEMAN)