Villanueva defends Noynoy on Mamasapano ops: He did what he had to do

Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday defended former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III after the Ombudsman accused the latter of usurpation of authority over the deadly 2015 Mamasapano operation.

In a statement, Villanueva said it was “legally inappropriate” to file usurpation charges against Aquino. The former president was also accused of committing graft.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the police and armed forces, he had the power and authority to call the police operation, even if ill-fated,” Villanueva pointed out.

“The former president had to act on a matter of urgent necessity. He deliberately did what should be expected of a leader, and he merely answered the call to act in the best interest of the country and our people,” Villanueva added.

More than 60 people, including 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers, were killed during the police operation dubbed Oplan Exodus last January 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The SAF commandos were in the area to serve an arrest warrant on Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin hit also known as Marwan. The operation resulted in a firefight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups.

Villanueva said he was “positive that the former president will be able to answer to the charges and defend his name and honor.”

The Ombudsman recommended a total bail of P40,000 for Aquino's case, P30,000 for graft and P10,000 for usurpation of official function.

Aquino’s political party, the Liberal Party (LP), earlier said the former President would prove his innocence before the court. 

“He will clear his name in court and prove he is innocent of the charges. We believe the court will afford him due process and fair trial,” the LP said. — MDM, GMA News