Senators ask: What did PNoy do after learning Mamasapano clash

MANILA, Philippines - What was President Aquino’s order to his top security officials after he learned that the 392 Special Action Force (SAF) highly-trained commandos were under fire while going after Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan last Jan 25?

Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said the question on the President’s role on Operation Plan: Exodus remains hanging after nobody from the members of the security cluster acknowledged that they informed the President.

“This is not because I’m interested alone, I think I will be remiss in my responsibilities and my job if those questions aren’t asked at least,” she said.

Poe said she wants to establish during the Senate probe if it was the President who directed resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima to inform Armed Forces officials about the operations “time-on-target.”

“In my case, I need to ask it, otherwise, that means that my committee is not doing its job and is ineffective in doing its part to unearth the entire scenario of the operations,” Poe added.

She has expressed concern over the revelations of sacked SAF commander Chief Superintendent Getulio Napenas, who quoted Purisima as telling him that he (Purisima) will be the one to inform AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang about the Mamasapano operation.

“So in his (Napenas) case, if he gave his entire trust to Gen. Purisima thinking that there was really a backup, then that spells a difference also on the responsibility that Napeñas should admit to. He should not accept the blame for everything if he was made to understand that there would be reinforcements,” Poe added.

Senators asked the other day who and when President Aquino was informed about the developments on the ground while the SAF troopers were engaged in heavy gunfire with Moro rebels.

“Definitely, one of them, in fact all of them, should have informed the President,” Poe said.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also asked the same question on the President's directive after knowing that many SAF troopers were caught under heavy fire after the commandos neutralised Marwan. He noted that Purisima would not have asked clearance from the chief executive first if what he will say will be affecting the President.

"Kaya naman siguro nung umaga doon napuna ni Pangulo ang balita. Ngayon kailangan nating malaman, anong binigay na instructions, yun na nga lumabas, best efforts. Kawawa naman ang ating mga pulis kung best effort na lang," Marcos said.

Purisima not off the hook

Despite owning up accountability,  Poe said Purisima still needs to explain before the Senate joint panel the details of his participation during the actual operations last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“The biggest question is about his involvement in the whole operation. He admitted to providing intel and then, after his suspension he admitted giving advice. But on the actual day, we don’t have yet a big picture, what his participation was,” Poe said.

“It’s not beating a dead horse, it’s trying to find out the entire picture so that we can make an assessment of where the chain of command actually fell or broke,” the senator added.

The Senate panel will wait for Purisima to testify anew on questions raised about what he has told the President as well as the matters they discussed before, during and after the operations.

At the same time, Poe also expressed high regard for Superintendent Raymond Train and Police Officer 2 Christopher Lalan, who narrated how they and their other comrades endured heavy gunfire and unfriendly forces last January 25.

“Their stories regarding the actual experience, some of it has come out in media already and we know about their valor,” Poe said.

According to Poe, the Senate panel will have its second executive session on Monday, with sacked SAF commander Director Getulio Napenas and Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Fernando Mendez as resource persons.

Poe added that she will consult with her colleagues whether Purisima can be granted his request for executive session since he is facing suspension from the Ombudsman and has resigned as PNP chief.

Poe said she will go back to the definition of executive session and how it can ben invoked.

“This is another gray area that we need to discuss. To what extent does the privilege of executive actually extend? Does it extend if the president is talking to individuals? These are things we have to discuss,” she said.

Even if Purisima cannot invoke executive session since such is given only to the President, the former police chief may invoke national security, Poe said.

“We will determine it after we hear it if it truly falls under that. The exceptions for having an executive session—for the benefit of national security, if it might pose clear and present danger, if it might jeopardize criminal or military operation,” the senator said.

After three hearings, an executive session and another executive session slated next week, Poe said she will be consulting with her colleagues whether they can already wrap up the proceedings to enable the panel to come out with a partial committee report.