Emotional Espina decries ‘overkill’ of SAF men, seeks clear answers from MILF

(Updated 2:36 p.m.) Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Director General Leonardo Espina on Wednesday became emotional over what he described as overkill of the 44 Special Action Force troopers in the January 25 police operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

 

Speaking during the hearing at the House of Representatives on the Mamasapano clash, Espina sought "clear answers from the other party of the peace process" on why many of his men who did not suffer lethal wounds during the clash were still finished off and shot at close range.

 

"As you all know, I’m the OIC of PNP, no doubt we are in the peace process because we are peacekeepers. Walang may gusto ng katahimikan kundi kami. Pero sir, we seek for clearance, sir. We seek for clear answers from the other party of the peace process. Ano ba itong overkill na ito na ginawa niyo sa mga tao ko?" he told lawmakers.

"I seek answers for my people so that when my time comes and I have to face them, at least I can say something," he further said.

(Please see video here: WATCH: Espina becomes emotional in seeking answers to brutal deaths of 44 SAF men)

Espina, who will be retiring from the police organization in July, also said there were even videos showing the brutal killing of some of the SAF troopers.

Relieved SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas, who himself also became emotional, even approached Espina to calm him.

On January 25, a covert operation by SAF commandos to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman resulted in an hours-long clash with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has an existing ceasefire agreement with the government.

Shot at close range

 

Espina said he could not sleep Tuesday night after checking the medico-legal report on the slain police commandos. Citing the report, he said Inspectors Rennie Tayrus and Ryan Pabalina, two of the slain SAF troopers, did not initially suffer any lethal wounds as they were hit in the foot.

“Hindi po ako nakatulog kagabi nung natanggap ko ang medico legal [report]. Si Inspector Tayrus, si Inspector Pabaliñas did not suffer any fatal  shots. Tinamaan  sila sa paa lang....Binaril po sila sa ulo, dalawang fatal shots of 9 mm at close range,” he said.

Still citing the medico-legal report, Espina said 20 other SAF men were shot at close range. “Dalawa pa lang po yan. Twenty others ay binaril nang malapitan, karamihan sa kanila ang tama ay sa ulo.”

He added this was contrary to the statement of the MILF leadership that their members involved in the Mamasapano clash just acted in self defense and that the SAF troopers were the first to fire the shots.

The MILF claimed that 18 of its men were killed in the clash. Its representative on Wednesday's hearing, Rasid Ladiasan, chairperson of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, did not comment on Espina's testimony.

Peace process

Espina pointed out that the SAF men were part of an operation to catch a wanted foreign terrorist allegedly responsible for the deaths of many.

"Terorista yan, kriminal yan, maraming taong pinasabog yan and now you’re asking if the operation is legal?" he said.

Despite this, Espina said there is no doubt the PNP is all for the peace process. "Walang ibang mas gusto ng katahimikan kundi kami," he said.

"It is always sweet to die for this country," he also said, adding police will always be there to say "mission accomplished."
 

Applause was heard after Espina delivered his statement.

The hearing was conducted jointly by the committees on public order and safety, and on peace, reconciliation, and unity. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News