Mayor Ampatuan (yes, the Ampatuans of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre are still very much a force to reckon with in Maguindanao) said that at about 1:30 in the afternoon of Jan. 25, members of the joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) arrived to stop the battle between the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police on one side and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on the other side.
The fighting had been raging since dawn. The SAF were on their way out of the area after they accomplished killing one of their targets, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias ”Marwan”, high in the terrorists list of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Marwan had a $5 million price of his head.
Their other target, Basit Usman, a bomb expert was able to escape.
Ampatuan enumerated the nationalities of the members of the CCCH who came. He said one was “Amerikano.”
The mention of the name “Amerikano” sent alert signals because the past days there have been reports, denied by government officials, about the direct involvement of Americans in the operation that cost the lives of 44 SAF and 18 MILF fighters.
Immediately, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles corrected Ampatuan saying the guy was “Norwegian.”
Sen. Loren Legarda asked Ampatuan why he thought the guy was American. Ampatuan replied, “Kasi maputi at matangkad, (Because he was white and tall.)
Legarda looked amused.
Mayor Ampatuan is not the only who thinks anybody who is “white” is American. (What about African-American?).
Legarda asked SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. why they gave Marwan’s cut off finger to the FBI instead of the National Bureau of Investigation for DNA testing. The suspended SAF commander requested for an executive session for him to answer the question.
The answer to that could be the reason why Aquino was gung-ho about Oplan Exodus to the point of making a mockery of the basic principle of chain of command, so vital in governance.
***
Feeling public anger,the House of Representatives suspended indefinitely the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, head of the ad hoc committee, said they will wait for results of the investigations on the Jan. 25 carnage, which had been mishandled bigtime by Malacañang. “We want to know first what really happened in the incident and what should be done in relation to the provisions in the BBL… so we will not have this kind of occurrence again,” he said.
The indefinite suspension is bad news for Malacañang, which sees the law as the ultimate solution to the problem in Mindanao and didn’t want the tragedy to get in the way.
A member of the committee, who wanted indefinite suspension to honor the 44 SAF, said they were surprised to see Malacañang allies attend in full force, something which they didn’t do in earlier hearings.
The first statement that came out of Malacañang the day after the tragedy was not a condemnation of the massacre but a declaration Mindanao peace process will push through.
“Ang pananaw ng pamahalaan ay hindi nagbabago. Mahalaga ang peace process sa Mindanao, mahalaga ang pagpasa ng Bangsamoro Basic Law at patuloy pa ring itinataguyod ang prosesong pangkapayaan,(The government’s view is unchanged. The Bangsamoro Basic Law is important in the peace process in Mindanao and we will continue to carry it out.),” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.
The suspension of deliberations derails the original timetable for the BBL which was passage by the House in March and signing into law by December.
Not only is the timetable derailed. Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, former AFP chief –of-staff and member of the ad hoc committee, said if it is passed, it will be a watered down version. “We need to satisfy two issues: One, the constitutionality issue, and two, reconciling the different interests of different groups.”
Biazon further said, “There is a need for us to examine more closely the issue of territorial boundary definitions. There are many provinces not part of the current ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) that are vying to be part of the Bangsamoro.As regards the coordination provision, do the Navy and Coast Guard have to coordinate whenever they move within what is our territorial waters? If the Air Force needs to fly over the Bangsamoro, do they need to coordinate? There are so many questions.”
“I assure everyone, the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be watered down,” Biazon said.
MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said a watered-down version of the BBL may not be acceptable to the Bangsamoro people.
The death of the 44 SAF commandos has forced Aquino to go slow on what he thought was his ticket to the much coveted Nobel Peace Prize. Many of those who were apathetic to the peace process with the Muslim rebels are now interested to know more about the law that would create profound changes in life in the country.
Everything happens for a reason.
Before they talk or discuss about the BBL, the MILF has to explain this first.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=835624783175219
In regards to Senator Legarda questioning why the “finger” was given to FBI for DNA test which was answered in close door session could be that the NBI has no Access to the sample for DNA comparison of “Marwan” relatives which the FBI has in his brother in Guantanamo.
But would it not be better if the SAF or any other Special Action Force be a very Secretive unit whose members will be “anonymous ” to the Public.. Like all other Special forces..??? JTF 2 is said to have 600 assaulters and specialists but. None of them is known or been recognized in Public. Nor their images without their identity hidden exposed in the media. That will insure their safety and of their family and will not compromise their mission …
I think Mr. Aquino was largely a bystander to this operation, and that the whole approach was hatched between SAF Gen.Napenas and Chief Purisima to proceed with no coordination other than “time on target” as an outgrowth of the animosity between Napenas and AFP General Pangilinan. Rather a “we’ll show them how it’s done” mission, that did NOT show them how it’s done. Purisima seems to share Napenas’ anger, probably due to the AFP’s refusal to provide mechanized support on the prior attempt to get Marwan.
That the President “advised” coordinate with AFP, but was ignored, illustrates that he was interested in the mission, not proving an internal rival point.
That said, Napenas clearly was focused on the goal, getting Marwan. He’s the guy who wanted to put a smart bomb through the roof of his hut, but was denied that, likely because the US refused.
Yan ang problema kapag dalawa ang boss.
# 3 Joe America, I noted that the JTF 2 automatically co-ordinates irs missions with 3 other Military units to complete its mission. Together the 4 Units complete the Armed forces Special operation forces with its main JTF 2 under the command of a GGen which is the only personnel known to the public. All its missions must have a Go from the Govt and it is ready to go anywhere at anytime.
Just the Navy Seals of the US.. The UDT of SOKOR It a top secret fighting force against terrorism and threats to our national security. The Only public recognition that was known is the US presidential citation for their delivering Taliban captives and their elimination of threats by Long Range sniper fire. Which they were acknowledge to be the very best.
Correction.. The JTF 2 currently is under the Command of a Brigediare General (Denis Thompson) past commanders were Col, Lt Col, and LT. General. It so classified that the only known citation is one from George W Bush. All others are classified.
There was one instance were images of the members were unintentionally published in the paper and it was immediately recalled and images DELETED…they were escorting Govt officials in African missions…our media respect that Secrecy as these men and women are risking their lives so we can have our Freedoms and sleep well at nights in our homelands.
Chain of command must be well-defined. When the chain is not clear or is breached, confusion and mix-ups down the chain ensue inevitably. More so with unforeseen hitches as should be expected, it gets worse.
As in the Luneta massacre as in the Mamasapano carnage.
In the Luneta massacre, it’s the insertion of Puno that confused the chain. In Mamasapano, it’s Purisima.
#3
Indeed the Americans did it.
The objective was to arrest or kill Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and his alleged local bomb-making associate, Abdul Basit Usman. The US government had offered a $5-million bounty for Marwan and $2 million for Usman.
no classified operation of that kind cannot be executed WITHOUT the approval of the president and considering that purisima HAD no knowledge of the terrain in the area being NOT assigned even a single day in any part of maguindanao HE (purisima) has no right even to give an advice on anything with regard to the operation.
as to the present tune being sung by napenas which contradicts his previous statement right after the carnage, IT only shows HE (napenas) is trying to save the neck of both noynoy and purisima.
napenas, purisima and noynoy can be considered the MOST guilty for the death of the 44 SAF commandos FOR willfully denying roxas and espina the knowledge about the operation and CLEARLY, the CHAIN of command was ignored and set aside. moreover, proper coordination with the friendly forces should not be neglected so that artillery and air support as well as reinforcements be on the stand by when the beleaguered SAF operatives are pinned down by both the MILF and BIFF rebels.
#3. if you are the commander in the area and no prior coordination was made plus the fact THAT no exact location of the engaged troops and the attackers were given, are you going to provide any support KNOWING there is an on-going peace agreement?
it was easy for napenas to say that his requests for artillery, air and ground support were denied JUST to cover his lapses and with what purisima instructed that he (purisima) will coordinate with the CSFAP once the SAF commandos are already there in the area. he’s clearly dragging the AFP in the mess he created.
another thing, they had more than 300 SAF force on the stand by as reinforcement
another thing, they had more than 300 SAF commandos on the stand by as reinforcement, why were they not able to reinforce their colleagues being near in the area?
Ano naman ang masasabi ni Madame Eta Rosales ng CHR? Pag kalaban ng gobyerno ang napatay ng magigiting na taga AFP or PNP, human rights violation kaagad. Pero pag mga kawal ng gobyerno, tila napakatahimik ng ale.
Everything happens for a reason. – Ellen
I believe so, Ellen. I could just imagine the bigger picture, nakakakilabot.
Kung hindi nabisto via death of the 44SAF na inaalagaan ng MILF/BIFF sina Marwan at Usman; at maging legitimate ang BBL, who would stop them to make the Bangsamoro region the biggest terrorist cell in the world?
Malacanang pursuing the BBL… people there are more than stupid! Or might be pursuing the Nobel at all costs?
There is no “chain of command” in the PNP, according to Malacañang. The chain of command exists only in the military. The trouble with many critics is that they are focused on the head of the President instead of the real killers of the Gallant 44: the MILF and the BIFF.
Bakit walang nagsisigaw ng all out war against China? Squeamish about body bags arriving in Manila from the bahoras of West Philippine Sea?
The President is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. But the police is in most are not even an “Armed Force” that is why its Commander is its Chief of Police..
Do you expect Obama to Command the Police Forces of all the USA?? But of course he is the CIC of all the U.S. Armed forces. The Army, Air, Navy and Coast guard and Marimes likewise you don’t Expect the PM Harper to take Command of the RCMP ????
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/12/15/watered-down-bbl-unacceptable-iqbal
Watered-down BBL unacceptable – Iqbal
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 02/12/2015 3:34 PM
MANILA – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday said a watered-down version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) may not be acceptable to the Bangsamoro people.
Speaking at the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash for the first time, Iqbal said the MILF hopes that Congress will pass the BBL as crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
”Knowing that plenary powers rest with Congress, the MILF is requesting Congress to improve and perhaps to hasten the BBL,” Iqbal told Senator Ralph Recto.
He said a watered-down version of the BBL won’t address the grievances of the Bangsamoro people.
“Even if we accept it, mananatili ang problema kasi a watered-down BBL would not address the legitimate grievances of our people,” he said.
There have been questions on the constitutionality on some of the provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Some constitutional experts say the BBL would create the proposed Bangsamoro territory into a sub-state, which is not allowed under the Constitution.
Senator Recto, who also chairs the Senate finance subcommittee D, also asked why the envisioned Bangsamoro government will be given P70 billion in automatic appropriations for its first year when autonomy is the objective.
”Iyung autonomy na para sa Bangsamoro, is it still part of the Philippines. The Philippines is a mother state, and as a mother, the mother should help the son or the daughter,” Iqbal said.
#. 16. kaya nga merong kinatawan ang bawat panig upang himayin ang lahat ng probisyon ng BBL, diba?
eh, kung gusto nitong si iqbal na lahat nang gusto nila ang masunod SILA na lang mag-draft ng bangsamoro law. tutal ganu’n din naman, binibeybi nila ang MILF mula kay dilis hanggang kay noynoy, ayaw nilang sumama ang loob, ipaubaya na lang sa kanila ang pagbalangkas ng mga gusto nilang pairalin sa bangsamoro region.
At bakit susundin si Iqbal, may leverage ba sila?
E ano kung hindi acceptable sa kanila ang magiging watered down version ng BBL, gusto nila paikutin ang kapinuyan para lahat ng gusto nila maisagawa. Letse!
I watched the whole hearing, even the post-hearing presscon of Iqbal. This guy impresses me as genuine, sincere, intelligent and consistent. Of all the other vocal Moro leaders before him, withe the exception of Misuari, it is the first time that a revolutionary conceded the legitimacy of the gov’t of the Republic of the Philippines. Unlike Salamat, Abbas, Kiram and others who stuck to the historical technicalities of Moroland never ever being Filipino since they were never subjects of the Kingdom of King Felipe, hence were never Filipinos, Iqbal recognized, and respected the authorities.
He said he was open to an “improved” BBL but watering it down might just fall short of the expectations of the Moros which I think will result in jettisoning the MILF into insignificance thus leaving a vacuum where more radical minds can grab the opportunity and turn the situation from bad to worse.
He spoke like a tired, old man who wants to feel what it’s like to live peacefully at last.
I somehow share his suspicion on the timing of the arrest. The timetable is for congress to finish deliberations on the BBL this quarter, the MILF needs to start forming its political party to run for the posts in 2016 elections. Was the SAF Op designed as such to throw a monkey wrench at the peace machine? Based on the known factors on the ground, the SAF cops were literally fed to the crocs. Is this a case of The tail wagging the dog?
Remember that in the time of GMA, the Americans were so ATAT of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, they were in Malaysia way ahead of the Filipinos who never came. Gloria had to use her own followers to file the TRO in the Supreme Court that she knew perfectly well would be granted. Then her Plan B. She also demonstrated how she can directly influence the outcome of elections, what with Garci around, yet the MILF believed they can win the referendum and later, in an election.
But this time they are willing to take their chances. Iqbal knows that anything short of a genuine, fair BBL, in sequence with their disarming will put them in a very vulnerable position, they may even be rejected in the referendum, the whole peace process down the drain with them.
The official line is the SAF was serving a warrant of arrest.
So which judge issued the warrant of arrest? Who applied for the warrant?
it is not important kung ano man ang tunay na objective ng naging madugo at nakapanlulumong operasyon ng SAF. what is clear is that PURISIMA was all the brain of that mission upang MASAGIP ang kanyang sisinghap singhap na reputasyon bunga ng kabikabilang pangungurakot na kanyang kinasangkutan na siyang dahilan ng kanyang SUSPENSIYON lang hepe ng PNP. maliwanag ding KINUNSINTE ang wala sa hulog na oprasyong ‘yun ng kanyang bespren na presidenteng UTUUTO upang kung hindi dahil sa pagkalagas ng 44 SAF commandos BIDA silang dalawa sa buong pilipinas at maging sa mata ng US.
masaklap nga lamang ang kinahantungan at naging bunga KAYA ang mag-MU ay todo tanggi at kung ano anong kasinungalingan ang mga sinasabi.
ito namang si napenas KUNG bakit kasi parang urong ang bayag na pilit pinagtatakpan ang dalawang ungas.
umaasang siya itatalaga ni ngoyngoy bilang magiging kapalit ni purisima as PNP chief?
tsk. tsk. tsk.
“……….SUSPENSIYON bilang hepe ng PNP.”