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SAF ‘hesitant’ to share info during Mamasapano ops –military
By ROUCHELLE DINGLASAN, GMA News
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(Updated 4:56 p.m.) There was “hesitancy” on the part of the police Special Action Force to share information regarding its operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25, making it difficult for the military to respond immediately to the request for reinforcement.
This was according to AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla on Tuesday, as he announced that the military has concluded its investigation on the bloody clash that left 44 elite policemen dead, staining the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“May hesitancy [sa parte ng SAF] na ibigay lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa operasyon,” Padilla told reporters at a press briefing.
He said there was a thick “fog of war” during the January 25 incident, but denied that the military was ordered not to provide reinforcement to the embattled policemen.
“Hindi po totoo na may pumigil sa Armed Forces [para tulungan ang SAF]," Padilla said, adding that the military was ready to provide ground assistance as early as 6 a.m. on the fateful day.
However, there was no enough information to proceed, Padilla said.
“Kulang ang information kaya hindi [kami] makagalaw. Hindi po nila alam kung ano ang dapat gawin,” he said.
While air support was available, Padilla said the SAF did not request for it.
MILF's breakaway faction, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), was also involved in the encounter.
The military said that it will release its investigation result to the media on Wednesday.
No rift
Meanwhile, the military clarified that there is no "rift" between the AFP and the PNP in connection with the clash.
"There is no rift between the PNP and the Armed Forces," Padilla said. "We work together very closely. We consult and continue to help each other to bring peace and order to our land."
The SAF's mission was to serve the warrant of arrest to two suspected terrorists, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bombmaker Basit Usman, who were confirmed to be holed up in the MILF-controlled area.
Marwan, who has a $5 million bounty on his head, was reportedly killed in the clash, although this has yet to be confirmed by DNA testing. Usman, on the other hand, managed to escape.
On Monday, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the military-commissioned fact-finding committee found that the AFP was able to carry out reinforcement to the PNP SAF.
"The Army was not remiss in its duties to assist and reinforce the beleaguered SAF elements in Mamasapano and did all that was possible under the circumstances when they received the request of help after the fact," Cabunoc said in a statement.
He said troops from the Army's 6th Infantry Division were the ones who extracted the SAF policemen in Mamasapano.
"The AFP categorically states that everything that could be done was done under the circumstance with due consideration to avoid fratricide and collateral damage," Cabunoc said. —with Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News
This was according to AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla on Tuesday, as he announced that the military has concluded its investigation on the bloody clash that left 44 elite policemen dead, staining the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“May hesitancy [sa parte ng SAF] na ibigay lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa operasyon,” Padilla told reporters at a press briefing.
He said there was a thick “fog of war” during the January 25 incident, but denied that the military was ordered not to provide reinforcement to the embattled policemen.
“Hindi po totoo na may pumigil sa Armed Forces [para tulungan ang SAF]," Padilla said, adding that the military was ready to provide ground assistance as early as 6 a.m. on the fateful day.
However, there was no enough information to proceed, Padilla said.
“Kulang ang information kaya hindi [kami] makagalaw. Hindi po nila alam kung ano ang dapat gawin,” he said.
While air support was available, Padilla said the SAF did not request for it.
MILF's breakaway faction, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), was also involved in the encounter.
The military said that it will release its investigation result to the media on Wednesday.
No rift
Meanwhile, the military clarified that there is no "rift" between the AFP and the PNP in connection with the clash.
"There is no rift between the PNP and the Armed Forces," Padilla said. "We work together very closely. We consult and continue to help each other to bring peace and order to our land."
The SAF's mission was to serve the warrant of arrest to two suspected terrorists, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bombmaker Basit Usman, who were confirmed to be holed up in the MILF-controlled area.
Marwan, who has a $5 million bounty on his head, was reportedly killed in the clash, although this has yet to be confirmed by DNA testing. Usman, on the other hand, managed to escape.
On Monday, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the military-commissioned fact-finding committee found that the AFP was able to carry out reinforcement to the PNP SAF.
"The Army was not remiss in its duties to assist and reinforce the beleaguered SAF elements in Mamasapano and did all that was possible under the circumstances when they received the request of help after the fact," Cabunoc said in a statement.
He said troops from the Army's 6th Infantry Division were the ones who extracted the SAF policemen in Mamasapano.
"The AFP categorically states that everything that could be done was done under the circumstance with due consideration to avoid fratricide and collateral damage," Cabunoc said. —with Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News
Tags: mamasapanoclash
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