MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang insisted that President Benigno Aquino III only gave guidance in Oplan Exodus, which eventually led to the killing of lawmen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, contrary to claims of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile that the president was directly involved in the operation.
Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press conference on Thursday that Aquino guided former Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas during the operation where police commandos where shot dead by rebels last year.
"Ang malinaw lang naman dito ay ang sumusunod: Una, inutusan siyang (Napeñas) mag-coordinate. Hindi pakikialam iyon. Iyon ay guidance na napakahalaga na nanggaling mismo sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas," Coloma said.
Coloma added that Napeñas himself does not consider Aquino's order as an intervention.
"If you will recall, nag-testify si PNP Chief Director General Marquez that as then Director for Operations walang buong operation plan na nasa kamay ng national headquarters ng PNP. At sinabi din niya ang kanyang puna doon sa Oplan Exodus, walang malinaw na—well, walang mga patakaran o guidelines hinggil sa pag-abort na dapat naging bahagi ng contingency plan," the Cabinet official said.
The Cabinet official insisted that the president did not order a stand down despite the claims of Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Coloma noted that the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano incident last Wednesday effectively disproved the allegations of Enrile and Marcos against the president.
"Naisiwalat ang kawalan ng kaalaman ni Director Napeñas sa tunay na sitwasyon ng kanyang mga tropa sa Mamasapano," Coloma said.
Enrile requested to reopen the Senate probe on the Mamasapano incident to ask questions on the government's actions during the encounter between SAF troopers and Moro rebels last year. He was detained for plunder charges when the Senate conducted the inquiry early last year.
During his opening speech in the Senate hearing, Enrile claimed that Aquino was shielding himself from responsibility for the death of the 44 fallen SAF commandos.
RELATED: SAF 44 case to be resolved in 4 weeks