SAF commander relieved over Maguindanao 'misencounter'

MANILA, Philippines — The commander of the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force (SAF) has been administratively relieved following the killing of 44 police commandos by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters in Maguindanao on Sunday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II announced Tuesday that Director Getulio "Leo" Napeñas Jr. has been recalled to Manila pending results of an investigation on the clash.

Reports said the police commandos had already neutralized Malaysian bomb-maker and Jemaah Islamiyah operative Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, in Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town, when they were attacked by MILF fighters.

As the policemen were retreating to a nearby village, they were ambushed by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, whose members are former MILF fighters.

Roxas said Napeñas was allowed to help in the recovery of bodies of his fallen men.

"Kahapon nabigyan siya (Napeñas) ng pagkakataon tumulong sa pag-recover ng kanyang mga tauhan, at today pina-recall na siya dito sa Manila," Roxas said in the televised press briefing.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said the relief of the SAF commander will give way to the newly formed board of inquiry to "get to the bottom of things."

Espina said Napeñas will be temporarily replaced by SAF Deputy Director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño.

The incident was the biggest single-day combat loss for the Philippine government in recent memory, with 44 killed and 12 wounded in action, officials said.

Roxas said that the 392 SAF members involved in the operation are "all accounted for" and are currently being processed in the military headquarters in Awang, Maguindanao.

RELATED: Peace panel: Greater resolve to pass Bangsamoro law despite violence