A former intelligence officer of the Philippine military is wondering why there were so many policemen involved in the January 25 operation of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.
In a phone interview, retired Navy commodore Rex Robles pointed out that troop movement of that size could easily catch the attention of the residents.
“What were those people doing there? Those 300 or so?… Let’s say if you move 50 men in an enemy’s territrory, diba ang danger of detection is very high?… What were these men supposed to do according to operations order? ” Robles told GMA News Online.
Only 74 clashed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups.
“Ano ba ang scenario na prinoject nila para magkaroon sila ng ganoon karaming tao?” Robles further asked.
He also explained that the SAF needed at least 10 trucks to bring the police officers to the highway, “Let’s say 30 (people) per truck. You need 10 trucks to bring those people. Sampung truck na nagtatravel, hindi pa sila madedetect?”
He also said that for that kind of operation like Oplan Exodus, three teams of around 100 men are only needed to avoid unwanted attention.
“Troop movements of this size will have to pass through Army check points. The fact should have been reported to GHQ (general headquarters) operations center. And hence to Chief (of) Staff AFP and Pres. Aquino,” he also noted.
Purisima’s advice was a command
According to Robles, in military’s culture, “a superior’s wish is a command.”
He was referring to resigned PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima’s statement that he only gave advice to sacked SAF director Getulio Napeñas during Oplan Exodus.
But Robles reiterated, “If he makes an advice, that is a command.”
Because of this, the former intelligence officer reminded that the command line must be clear to avoid finger-pointing.
“There must be only one command line, with each level of command clearly designated. The overall commander must be clearly identified. The finger pointing we are witnessing is an offshoot of violating that principle. Unlike the US model, the command line in our case includes the Secretary of Defense. He may not eschew that responsibility,” he said. —NB, GMA News
