Trillanes: SAF intoxicated the Army on eve of Mamasapano operation

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) allegedly restrained the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the Mamasapano operation on purpose, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

During an interview with radio dzMM on Saturday night, Trillanes revealed information from Senate executive sessions.

The police commandos allegedly invited military officials to drink on January 24, the night before the operation.

"The same night na mag-o-operate itong SAF ay inilabas na nila sa isang inuman yo'ng brigade commander at the battalion commander ng Army. Yo'ng intelligence officer ng PNP, inimbita nila na mag-inuman," Trillanes said.

Trillanes insisted that if the SAF had plans to coordinate with the AFP, the police would have informed the military about the operation the night that they went out together.

"Ang objective nila doon, para masigurado na hindi mag-o-perate yo'ng Army kasi gusto nilang solohin ang misyon na ito," the senator said.

The said operation led to the death of 44 police commandos during an encounter with Moro rebels during an operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias "Marwan" last January 25 at Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The senator added that around 100 SAF troopers were on standby during the operation but refused to respond to their colleagues who were engaged in a gunfight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The findings of the Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano operation concluded that President Benigno Aquino III was "ultimately responsible" for the mission.

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