Pimentel wants SAF’s role in anti-terror missions reviewed

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III believes the role of Police Special Action Force in anti-terror operations should be reviewed in light of the Mamasapano bloodbath early last year.

Pimentel on Sunday noted especially the lingering questions about the extent of the SAF's coordination with the military in the tragic Mamasapano operation to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

In an interview on dzBB radio, Pimentel said the Senate's latest probe on the Maguindanao clash that left 44 SAF commandos dead showed the need of strengthening the SAF's civilian character as its responsibilities tend to overlap with that of the Armed Forces.

“Ang lumalabas ... there is a need to strengthen the civilian character of the SAF. They're police people but with military-type training. Para siyang napagitnaan ng PNP [Philippine National Police] at AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines]," he said.

"[May] dual character sila, [kaya] ginagamit pa yung RP-US joint task force na military in character to assist them,” Pimentel added.

During the Senate re-investigation last Jan. 27, sacked SAF director Getulio Napeñas identified a joint US task force based in Zamboanga City—which he described as a “civilian-military” component of the US government— as provider of support for the covert police operation dubbed “Oplan Exodus.”

However, he said the US joint task force only provided “real-time intelligence” support during the operation to arrest Marwan.

Pressed by Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile at the latest Senate probe on why a US unit was providing intelligence support in a purely police matter, Napeñas said the American government probably helped because the Philippines shares with the US the commitment to fight terrorism.

But, Enrile said that the Visiting Forces Agreement only covers joint operations between US and Philippine military forces.

Over 60 people, including 44 SAF troopers, died in a clash with several armed groups in Maguindanao while carrying out “Oplan Exodus.”

On the other hand, Pimentel insisted the review of SAF's role should go beyond the bloody encounter since it concerns the PNP's civilian character.

“Beyond Mamasapano na ito [review] dahil policy na ang pinag-uusapan dito ... tapos yung extension of military agreement all the way to law enforcement matters,” he said.

In a separate radio interview, Enrile defended Napeñas against allegations that the police officer was incompetent as the leader of “Oplan Exodus.”

Enrile, who sought the reopening of the Senate probe on the Mamasapano clash, pointed out that Napeñas succeeded in neutralizing Marwan after years of failed attempts by others.

“Successful talaga si Napeñas ... Siya lang nakakuha kay Marwan. Lahat ng mga may estrella, wala. Pang-sampung attempt na ang Oplan Exodus. Walang nakagawa ng nagawa ni Napeñas. Nagkaroon lang ng problema noong exit na [ng SAF],” Enrile said.

The 91-year-old senator maintained that President Benigno Aquino III was primarily responsible for the Mamasapano bloodbath for being aware of all of the details of “Oplan Exodus.”

“Yung sinabi ni Aquino na 'dagdagan ninyo ang puwersa sapagkat mapanganib 'yan' — [ibig sabihin] alam niya yung panganib, alam niya yung terrain. O, naging heneral pa siya, pero hindi niya [ginamit] ang kapangyarihan niya bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas. Kaya noong may nangyari na, hindi niya sinagip ang mga [SAF]. Hinayaan niyang ma-slaughter, ma-massacre,” he said.

Asked if he would be willing to represent Napeñas in court after his term ends in June 2016, Enrile said: “Pwede. I will absolve him. Walang kasalanan yung tao eh.” — LBG, GMA News