MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday denied allegations that United States (US) troops were involved in the Mamasapano operation.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, invited DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario to clarify the role of the US in the said operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan.
Unfortunately, Del Rosario was unable to attend the hearing and sent Undersecretary Evan Garcia instead.
"There was no US involvement in the operation. It was 100 percent Filipino planned and implemented," Garcia told the Senate panel.
During an executive session at the Senate last week, relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Getulio Napeñas reportedly told senators that a US surveillance plane tracked Marwan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
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The operation to arrest Marwan resulted into a bloody encounter between the SAF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters wherein 44 police commandos were killed.
The Philippine National Police earlier denied the involvement of American troops on the operation.
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