Foregone conclusions

The chain of command in the Philippine National Police (PNP) was broken by no less than the Commander-in-chief himself, President Benigno “Noy” Aquino III when he allowed then suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima to take part in “Oplan Exodus.”

This was among the key conclusions of the PNP Board of Inquiry (BOI), which looked into the “tactical” level of the police operation to get high-value terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25. Actually, this is a foregone conclusion based on what we heard and saw from public hearings in Congress.

In its 120-page report, the BOI faulted Purisima for having provided inaccurate information to the President while then Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas committed lapses in implementing Oplan Exodus and erred in taking orders from a suspended superior.

The damning part of the BOI report pointed to President Aquino as the original source of violations of the PNP chain of command in the exercise of his prerogative.

The BOI asserted: By directly dealing with Purisima and Napeñas – instead of with PNP officer-in-charge (OIC) Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, before and during the SAF operations.

Also ignored in the chain of command at the PNP was Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II. The DILG Secretary is the immediate supervisor of the PNP in their own chain of command. Based on their findings and conclusions, the BOI recommended the following (verbatim):

1. Where the facts of this Report indicate possible violations of existing laws and regulations, appropriate government agencies should pursue the investigation of the Mamasapano incident to determine the criminal and/or administrative liabilities of relevant government officials, the MILF and other individuals.

2. The AFP and PNP, in coordination with OPAPP, should immediately review, clarify and strengthen the Joint AFP/PNP Operational Guideline for Ad Hoc Joint Action Group especially in the area of coordination during Law Enforcement operations (LEO) against HVTs.

3. The AFP and PNP should jointly review related provisions of their respective written manuals and protocols to synchronize, reconcile and institutionalize inter-operability not only between these two agencies but also with other relevant government agencies. The National Crisis Management Core Manual (NCMC manual) could be one of the essential references.

4. Crisis management simulation exercises (similar to fire and earthquake drills) should be regularly conducted among key players including local government units particularly in conflict prone areas.

5. The PNP should review its Police Operational procedures to cover operations similar to Oplan Exodus and to clarify coordination issues.

7. The PNP should craft its own Mission Planning Manual and institutionalize its application in PNP law enforcement operations.

8. The capabilities of SAF and other PNP Maneuver Units for Move, Shoot, Protect, Communicate and Close Air Support (CAS) should be enhanced.

9. The PNP should review its supply management system to ensure operational readiness of munitions and ordnance.

10. Cross-training between the PNP and the AFP pertaining to management and execution of military-type tactical operations should be institutionalized.

11. The PNP should immediately grant 1 rank promotion to all surviving members of the 84th Seaborne and PO2 Lalan for their heroism and gallantry in action, posthumous promotion to the fallen 44 SAF commandos, and should give appropriate recognition to all other participating elements.

Hewing closely to its fact-finding mandate, it was quite perceptible the language of the BOI Report limited itself on the “tactical” aspects on what went wrong in Oplan Exodus.

From my own reckoning, and beyond the BOI mandate, may I submit my three recommendations for whatever they may be worth.

First, President Aquino should fire the Cabinet or Palace official/ officials who advised him to skip the welcome honors for the 44 slain SAF when they were flown to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City last Jan. 29. This unidentified presidential adviser/s also misled Mr. Aquino into thinking it would be more prudent to proceed to the inaugural of a new vehicle plant of Mitsubishi in Sta. Rosa, Laguna instead of fulfilling a solemn duty to his fallen troopers.

Former President Fidel Ramos, who was also invited to that occasion in Mitsubishi, was able to do both without missing a beat. Such ill-advised move made President Aquino appear oblivious to the tragic end of his Oplan Exodus. Sadly his no-show at Villamor made it worse.               Second recommendation: President Aquino should convene the National Security Council (NSC) to re-assess the government’s peace process in Mindanao to discuss not just about the Bangsamoro Basic Law agreement with the MILF but also with the government’s 1996 peace pact with the MNLF.

It does not matter how late it is in his more than five-year-old administration to convene the NSC.

The President can get from the NSC all the needed inputs from elder statesmen like former presidents of the country who are members of this body. Anyway, to borrow his favorite phrase, “at the end of the day,” President Aquino alone will make the final decision, if any will be arrived at in that NSC meeting.

Third and last recommendation, President Aquino should appoint sooner than later a new permanent PNP director-general. He does not need to wait for Purisima to file for early retirement to fill the vacancy. As the OIC of the PNP, Espina has done a good job and the submission of the unadulterated BOI Report is a feather to his cap.

If would be unfair to the new PNP chief if the President continues dilly-dallying on appointing a new one to this post. This is because the dark shadows of the disgraced PNP chief will haunt the tenure in office of whoever will be appointed. Whether rightly or wrongly, he would be seen as someone who has the same rabid loyalty of Purisima to President Aquino.

The prevailing vacuum would only heighten the jockeying among those aspiring to become the new PNP chief. It would only engender politics within PNP and it is the last thing that President Aquino needs at this time of his embattled leadership. No need to belabor foregone conclusions. P-Noy could only move on.

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There is a newest breakfast forum in town to open its coffee shop talks this Wednesday, March 18. Called “Kapihan sa Manila Bay,” it will feature in its inaugural launch presidential communications operations office secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma and Department of Education Secretary Bro.Armin Luistro. Marichu Villanueva, associate editor of The Philippine Star, will moderate the breakfast forum to be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the 6th floor of the Luneta Hotel in T.M. Kalaw St., Manila every Wednesdays thereon. Those interested to have freewheeling discussion of national issues and problems of the nation in a friendly and cozy atmosphere are invited to attend.