Ex-DILG secretary hits govt execs for wrong choices in Mamasapano mission

(Updated 9:31 a.m., Feb. 27) Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III on Thursday took a dig at government officials involved in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash that killed 44 Special Action Force troopers.

 

"I wept because of the wrong choices taken by civilian authorities long before Oplan Exodus was mounted that eventually produced this disastrous consequence, and for the lapses in planning, execution and crisis management that were committed by all concerned, based on the unfolding story as revealed before the Senate and the Board of Inquiry's discoveries on the ground," Alunan said in a speech at a special tribute event for the killed SAF troopers in Camp Crame on Thursday.

 

When asked who he was referring to, the former secretary, in an interview with reporters, said: "I am referring to those who are now in charge of the government, basically the chain of command that starts with the commander-in-chief, including those that were not included in the loop.

 

He noted that those who claim to have not been informed about the operation should have been included in the loop.

 

Both PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas had admitted they were not informed of the police operation that turned tragic when 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed in a firefight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and its splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

 

Aquino, for his part, delivered a televised speech days after the bloody incident, in which he admitted being aware of the Mamasapano operation.

 

In a subsequent speech before PNP-SAF officers, the President said that he knew about the operation on the morning of Jan. 25. None of his security officials however could say who was updating the president.

 

Proper leadership

 

Alunan said the risk of carnage could have been minimized through "proper leadership."

 

"I wept in grief for such a tragic loss, not only because I have a close affinity to this unit, its founders and original members, but because the tragedy in Mamasapano was totally unnecessary," Alunan said.

 

"Casualties could have been minimized with the proper and timely harnessing of leadership, hands-on mission management and of moral courage to do the right thing to save lives over and above the need to save a flawed peace process with a group that was killing our boys and with a long history of treachery, deceit and heinous crimes against humanity," he added.

 

He also questioned the government's decision to still continue with the peace talks with the MILF.

 

"After all that's happened in the past, in Mamasapano and its aftermath, they still want to carve out a piece of Philippine territory and hand over to a group laced with jihadist elements linked to the global jihadist movement that clearly can't be trusted as peacebuilders," he said.

 

Last March, the government and the MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

 

The CAB will serve as the basis for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will formalize the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

 

Hearings on the BBL are currently suspended, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, following the tragic clash.

 

"I weep in dismay because after all that's happened, civilian authorities still want to pursue peace with the other party that has broken our trust time and again with a conflicted third party peace broker known to give aid, comfort and other strategic support to various secessionist movements in Mindanao," Alunan added.

 

Special tribute

 

On Thursday, families of the 44 SAF commandos who died in Mamasapano last month were granted donations from various corporations, civic groups and individuals during a special tribute event entitled "Gone, But Not Forgotten: Tagaligtas."

 

Among those present were family members of:

 

* PO2 Rodel Ramacula

* PO3 Robert Allaga

* PO3 Cham Agabon

* PO2 Noel N. Balaca Jr.

 

A survivor of clash, PO2 Arnel Gunayon, was also present.

 

The event, spearheaded by former President Fidel Ramos who was present there, also featured a documentary entitled “Tagaligtas” and the launching of the book “Silver Linings.”

 

The documentary, produced by Alunan, shows the crucial roles of SAF, a special unit founded by then Philippine Constabulary Chief Maj. Gen. Fidel Ramos, in securing the people from coups, insurgency, terrorism, and crime.

 

Meanwhile, the book, written by Melandrew Velasco and co-written by Alunan and retired Police Director Reynaldo Velasco, presents the untold stories of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution from the perspective of the military and police personnel during the historic event. —NB/KG, GMA News