Palace hits back at Enrile: PNoy did everything to save SAF 44

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday denied claims of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile that President Benigno Aquino III was directly involved and allowed 44 Special Action Force commandos to be killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last year.

"Sa kanyang mga pahayag sinabi na ng Pangulo na sa kanyang pagkabatid ay ginawa naman niya ‘yung dapat gawin bilang pangulo at commander-in-chief," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

Enrile claimed that Aquino "did not do anything" to save the police commandos while they were being slaughtered during an encounter against Moro rebels.

READ: Enrile: Noy allowed slaughter of SAF 44

The senator insisted that the president was aware of the operation to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.

"Meron siyang mga ginawa. Meron ding ginawa ang mga kinauukulang opisyal ng pamahalaan at lahat naman ng mga ito ay naibunyag at naisiwalat na ‘nung mga nakaraang pagkakataon. Marami na ring pagsisiyasat na isinagawa hinggil diyan," Coloma said.

Enrile earlier said that he has evidence that Aquino was actively and directly involved in the planning and preparation of the operation. He also claimed that the president was monitoring the operations while he was on his plane going to Zamboanga City.

"So that there would be no more questions about whether we should reopen the Mamasapano hearing or not, I would like to make it of record that I have evidence," Enrile said.

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs has scheduled the resumption of the Mamasapano hearing on January 27.

Enrile requested to reopen the investigation as he was detained when the Senate panel conducted the hearings early last year. He said that he wanted to ask questions regarding government action while the encounter between police commandos and Moro rebels was ongoing.