Philippine Local News

Napeñas lawyer: ‘President should take responsibility too’

March 10, 2015 Philippine Local News

The lawyer of relieved PNP SAF director Getulio Napeñas says the trouble began when the President allowed his friend, resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, to be part of the operation despite a suspension order

The camp of relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas hit back at President Benigno Aquino III, a day after the President said Napeñas was to blame for a bloody police operation that took the lives of 65, including 44 elite cops.

In an interview on GMA’s News to Go on Tuesday, March 10, Napeñas’ lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre said that instead of pinning the blame solely on Napeñas, the President should look at his own actions.

“Would you believe that a police general, the head of a PNP unit, would violate the orders of the President? First of all, you need to ask: Why did Aquino allow a suspended PNP chief to oversee the operation? I think the trouble began when the President made that decision,” Aguirre said in Filipino.

[FULL TEXT] ‘Binola ako’ ni Napeñas – Aquino

During a Monday, March 9 gathering of Evangelical leaders in Malacañang, Aquino detailed what he knew about the circumstances surrounding “Oplan Exodus.”

Answering a question from a pastor, Aquino said Napeñas had “fooled” him by ignoring his orders to coordinate with PNP OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and the military prior to the high-risk operation.

Aquino did not mention his friend former PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Aguirre questioned why Aquino did not bring in Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II to the January 9 briefing at Bahay Pangarap, his official residence in Malacañang.

Present during the briefing were Purisima, Napeñas, and Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez of the PNP’s Intelligence Group.

After the briefing at Bahay Pangarap, Purisima told Napeñas to only inform Espina and Roxas of the operation “time on target,” or only after SAF troopers had entered Mamasapano. Purisima then told Napeñas that he would personally “take care of” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Catapang, Jr.

Napeñas, in Senate hearings and media interviews, said he took this as “orders” from Purisima, who was then serving a preventive suspension order from the Ombudsman. Purisima, however, insists this was merely advice.

“Can we blame General Napeñas if he followed Purisima’s orders?” added Aguirre, who pointed out that Purisima’s instructions came after a private huddle with the President.

“What would Napeñas think? Were those not orders from the President?”

Napeñas himself has not explained why he chose to follow Purisima instead of informing Espina outright. Grilled by senators for his motives behind keeping Espina and Roxas out of the loop, Purisima said it was for “operational safety.”

Purisima, Aquino’s role

The President’s Monday statements came the same day the PNP Board of Inquiry (BOI), a group formed to probe the Mamasapano incident, announced it needed more time to wrap up its investigation.

Lawmakers – both allies and critics of the President – have expressed dismay over the President for his remarks.

Both Aquino and Purisima have been criticized for their involvement in “Oplan Exodus.” The suspended Purisima should not have been involved in PNP matters.

Napeñas’s camp, meanwhile, hopes the President’s stand would not get in the way of a “believable” BOI report.

“We did not expect the President to pin the blame solely on Napeñas. Now the question is, what can the BOI do given the President’s stand?” said Aguirre.

The Tuesday interview with Aguirre was one of the rare times that he spoke on the Mamasapano clash outside of public Senate hearings. The lawyer explained this was intentional.

“Napeñas was told by his superiors to decline interviews at least until after the BOI releases its report,” added Aguirre.

The BOI, one of many groups probing the bloody incident, is set to submit its report to Espina on Thursday, March 12.

Source: Rappler.com

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