Napeñas: Claims of lack of coordination put PNP commandos in bad light

The suspended head of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force apparently took exception to the claims of the Armed Forces that there was inadequate coordination on the part of the police commandos that resulted in the huge number of casualties during the Mamasapano operation. 

Director Getulio Napeñas said the PNP-SAF went by the rules that say coordination may be made before or during a mission. He said he would have kept silent until AFP officials made claims that apparently put the police in bad light.

He added that the PNP-SAF repeatedly sent the coordinates of the embattled commandos to the military in the area. This was in contrast to the military’s claim that it was ready to assist in the operation but couldn’t do so because it was unaware where the commandos were.

“Minabuti ko na hindi muna magsasalita dahil  gusto kong hintayin, bigyan natin ng galang yung board of inquiry pero dahil sa nga statements na lumabas ngayon lang na sinisira na yung puri ng director ng SAF pati na yung SAF, at boung kapulisan, kapag hindi ako magsasalita, magkakaroon ng public opinion,” Napeñas said.

“Magse-set  in yan. Para magkaroon lang ng balance at sana amg pinakamaganda ay intayin natin yung resuta ng board of inquiry para sag anon yung ang magpapatunay kung ano ang tunay na nangyari,” he added.

He asked the public to give due credit to the police commandos in the operation that netted the death of suspected international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

“Nais ko lang magbigay ng final na statement sa inyo, sana purihin natin yung mga namatay na 44 fallen heroes na tinatawag natin,” Napeñas said.

“Sila yung nagaassure na hindi tayo manganganib basta sa kalsada dahil itong napakadelikadng tao na ito na pumatay ng higit 200 doon sa Bali ay hindi na makakagawa pa uling pumatay ng daan daan o libo pa,” he added.

AFP chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang blamed the lack of coordination between the PNP and AFP that is why the elite cops were not immediately rescued by reinforcements. The lives of the 44 policemen were the “price to pay” for the law forces’ failure to coordinate.

“We have to look back on the joint agreement on the conduct of PNP and AFP operations,” Catapang added.

Napeñas said all will be revealed when the PNP’s board of inquiry into the incident released its report.

On Wednesday night, sources confirmed to GMA News that Marwan died during the clash based on a DNA sample that was gathered and matched with that of his kin.