AFP, PNP-SAF execs tussle anew over delayed artillery support

Officials from the PNP Special Action Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines recounted anew on Tuesday conflicting accounts about the grid coordinates that was supposed to determine the location of the elite police units that went into the January 25 Mamasapano mission.

At the resumption of the House hearing on the bloody clash that followed the operation, the discussion began when Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares pointed out the issue of stand-down and delay of artillery support.

Colmenares asked sacked PNP SAF chief Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr. to point out the grid coordinates using the map he brought to the hearing the previous day.

The map, Napeñas had admitted, was provided by their US counterparts when they were seeking reinforcements for their beleaguered colleagues.

The former SAF chief pointed out that the clusters of houses was between 800 meters to 1 kilometer away from where the engaged 55th Special Action Company (SAC) were.

He added, "'Yung nearest na medyo may bahay na, about 600 to 700 meters."

Napeñas pointed out that their request for artillery, which he said started at 7:53 a.m., was "more than two hours since nagsimula 'yung bakbakan, that's why we confirmed na wala nang sibilyan doon sa area."

"Ito po 'yung dinaanan ng tropa natin na pumasok doon sa target... Makita po ninyo na hindi diretso 'yung daan, paikot-ikot para makaiwas du'n sa kabahayan," he said, adding that it was why they opted for the one way in, one way out approach.

'No grid coordinates presented'

Colmenares proceeded to ask Brigadier Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, why he ordered to hold the artillery support if such grid coordinates were available.

Pangilinan replied that Col. Gener del Rosario of the 1st Mechanized Brigade should answer the question instead.

"Hindi ko po nakita 'yung mapa na 'yan," he said, reiterating it a second time when Colmenares pressed him.

"Your honor, my statement was 'Hold until such time that we have a clear picture.' 'Yun po ang pinag-usapan namin, kaya nga po ang mga tanong niyo, hindi ko masasagot 'yan dahil hindi ko nakita 'yang mapa na 'yan," Pangilinan said.

For his part, Del Rosario said, "The same answer pa rin, Sir, kahapon nu'ng hearing natin," detailing how SAF's Chief Supt. Noli Taliño and Supt. Michael John Mangahis proceeded with their briefing on the situation.

He narrated: "Minention ko po na kung anong nangyayari na sa tropa nila, sabi po ni Supt. Mangahis na nagwi-withdraw na po ang kanilang mga tropa from their objective. Pero nu'ng tinanong ko po 'yung exact location, kasi nagwi-withdraw na po -- nasaan 'yung lead element, 'yung tail element nila -- hindi po maibigay 'yung kasagutan at the time. Tinanong ko rin po nasaan 'yung mga lawless [elements] na nagpaputok dito sa mga nagwi-withdraw na SAF [officers], na-mention nila na nandito sa kaliwa, so wala rin pong general location na itinuro."

Asked if he was wrong to recommend artillery support, Del Rosario said Taliño and Mangahis could not provide plans for reinforcement when he asked them for it.

"Nu'ng na-sense ko po na nagde-develop sila ng plan, ako na 'yung tumingin sa mapa at tiningnan ko kung paano namin matutulungan 'yung SAF forces," he said, adding that he came up with three plans, including -- upon Taliño's request -- the artillery support.

Del Rosario said he pointed out to Taliño that it could be dangerous to do so since they didn't know the exact location of the SAF elements, and there might be civilians in the area.

Furthermore, he said, "I would like to make it clear po, noong nagbi-briefing sina Chief Supt. Taliño at Supt. Mangahis, never po na nagbigay sila ng grid coordinates sa mapa."

"Puro po tinuturo lang sa mapa -- banda rito, banda rito, banda rito -- so 'yung exact location kung magde-deliver ba tayo ng artillery, wala po. Kulang po 'yung information," he added.

'Man up, sir'

Del Rosario's claim made Mangahis rather emotional when it was his turn to speak, saying that he doesn't believe the military could not determine the location and position of the troops since they had contacts and assets in the area.

"Hindi po ako naniniwala na wala silang assets sa paligid diyan, sir. And they have contacts with the different commanders kasi kailangan nilang mag-survive pare-pareho diyan, sir. Ang naka-frontline diyan is mga tao natin," he said.

Mangahis said he didn't know who Del Rosario was speaking to on the phone during their meeting, but added: "Pero five meters lang ang pagitan natin, peace process ang nababanggit."

"Man up, sir. Man up, sir," he added.

Asked to clarify his statement about the men at the frontline, Mangahis said, "Alam na alam po nila 'yan, Sir, so sa tingin ko po wala pong dahilan para hindi natin ma-detect, ma-determine ang location, position."

'Hindi pwedeng 'di kami magsalita'

For his part, Taliño disputed Del Rosario's claim that they used Google maps to present the situation.

Taliño, who served as acting SAF chief after Napeñas was relieved shortly after the clash, also pointed out that Del Rosario asked Pangilinan during a conversation if he wanted to speak with him. "Hindi na ako kinausap," he said, adding that he just proceeded to ask the colonel again about the artillery support.

"Sabi niya, 'Sa akin, okay 'yan, pero 'di pumayag si division commander dahil sa peace process at baka may sibilyan doon,'" he said, adding that Del Rosario offered six tanks and troops, which the latter quickly organized and was sent with Mangahis for reinforcement.

He also disputed the claim that they failed to speak when asked about their plans.

"Pinag-uusapan dito life and death ng ating mga tropa, so hindi pwedeng hindi kami magsalita. Sinabi namin 'yung gusto namin, 'yung [request for] artillery support," he said. —NB, GMA News