Ceasefire bodies' intervention during Mamasapano encounter added to PNP woes – Napeñas

The intervention of ceasefire bodies of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the Mamasapano clash made matters worse for the beleaguered Philippine National Police's Special Action Force (SAF) troopers, relieved SAF chief General Getulio Napeñas Jr. said on Monday.

 

“Imbes na nakatulong ang pagpasok ng IMT (Internation Monitoring Team) at CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) ay nakasama pa dahil nagkaroon ang attackers ng pagkakataon to regroup,” Napeñas said at the continuation of the House of Representatives' probe on the Mamasapano incident.

 

The IMT is the body tasked to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

 

Napeñas said the IMT and the CCCH's intervention as well as the lack of artillery support from the military contributed to the higher number of SAF causualtieS.

 

Forty-four SAF troopers were killed during the implementation of Oplan Exodus, an operation to arrest three high-profile terrorists, including US most-wanted Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

 

Napeñas also reiterated his earlier statement before the Senate that only the SAF complied with the joint ceasefire order of the CCCH of the government and MILF.

 

Napeñas said even the military and the remaining SAF companies held their ground when the IMT and CCCH were about to enter the area nearest to the encounter site.

 

“Ang government troops ay nag-hold on ground dahil papasok ang IMT at CCCH, samantalang ang MILF ay hindi,” Napeñas said.

 

In an earlier hearing of the Senate, Napeñas said the MILF and its splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) kept on firing on the SAF troopers until past 6 p.m. despite the ceasefire order at around 1 p.m.

 

The MILF, in its 35-page report about the Mamasapano incident, said the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force (BIAF) immediately adhered to the ceasefire order.

 

“There were no lapses in heeding the call for a ceasefire...Unfortunately, it was already too late as most of the SAF 55th SAC had already been killed in the course of the intense fighting even before the order for a ceasefire was received on the grounds,” the MILF report said.

 

Meanwhile, government CCCH chair Brigadier General Carlito Galvez, who was also present during Tuesday's hearing, was quick to counter Napeñas' statement.

 

“I would like to object the statement of General Napeñas. I believe this is wrong presumption that the casualties was caused by the ceasefire,” Galvez said.

 

Galvez pointed out that what contributed to the higher number of causualties from the PNP's side was the lay of the land as well as the SAF troopers lack of knowledge about the terrain.

 

“We have conducted site survey, the situation there is like a fire sack. It is very ideal kill zone, the gravity of casualties is because of the wrong terrain they used,” Galvez said.

 

“I’ve been in battle for almost six years in Mindanao, based on experience, if they knew the terrain dapat designated na yung movement and position,” Galvez added.  — ELR, GMA News