Sacked SAF chief Napeñas files COC for senator

Napeñas is running under the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). 

 

He said this is because its standard-bearer, Vice President Jejomar Binay, was the first to extend sympathies and help to the SAF 44. 

 

He also noted the mural of the fallen troops that served as Binay's backdrop when he delivered his "true State of the Nation Address."

 

"Si VP Binay ang unang nagbigay-pugay sa SAF. Siya rin ang unang-unang nagbigay ng tulong," Napeñas said. "'Yung malaki na poster, nasa kaniya na ngayon at kino-consider ko na priceless 'yung pagpupugay na binigay niya sa kabayanihan na ginawa ng SAF 44." 

 

The former SAF chief also said that part of the reason he is running is because justice remains elusive for them. 

 

"Hindi ko po ikakaila na isa ring dahilan [ng aking pagtakbo] ay para makamit ang hustisya para sa aking mga kasamang namatay sa Mamasapano nu'ng January. Apatnaput apat ang ating mga bayani at kung sila ay buhay ngayon sumisigaw sila siguro sila para sa hustisya," he said. 

 

He added: "Bilang ama ng Special Action Force, ako'y naniniwala na responsibilidad ko na ihain o ipakita  ang hustisya sa mga kamag-anak ng nasawi."

 

While he did not mention names, he reiterated that they were left hanging during the operation and that his men were killed by groups, including one the government is doing peace negotiations with. 

 

Napeñas said his platform is mainly for peace and order and the welfare of police and armed forces, as well as other men in uniform. 

In Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the Aquino administration “recognize [Napeñas'] right to seek public office.”

President Benigno Aquino III earlier claimed that he was “fooled” by Napeñas, saying he was “given the wrong information” on the mission.

Coloma also said that like Binay, Aquino had also extended the necessary assistance to the kin of the SAF 44.

“President Aquino has exerted maximum efforts to extend assistance and support to families of fallen SAF troopers,” he said. — with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KG/RSJ/KBK, GMA News