Cake of Blame

Forty four gallant SAF troopers lost their lives in a gun battle against law-less elements in Mindanao after eliminating Marwan. This is one of the highest, if not the highest casualty to government troops in a single operation in modern history.it severe the pain to know that the primary need of fighting the troops, which is “reinforcement” arrived when almost a major number of casualty have died. The support or reinforcement came, after several hours of fighting, from the Philippine Army who has to cross some rugged terrains to reach the combat zone but then claimed that they did not easily helped the SAF fighters. Why were the air assets not utilized to drop troops around the position SAF? Does this mean that under a normal weather condition, an army truck travels faster than a chopper? Accordingly, reinforcement arrived late when it was requested because AFP has no knowledge of the operation due to lack of coordination.

The alleged lack of coordination was attributed to retrieved SAF director General Getulio Napenas due to his concept of time of target. However, he said he told to President Aquino who just kept silent. According to him, TOT was for the operation not to be compromised. He was also blamed for unprepared operational procedures, violation of chain of command and lack of control over his other 300 stand by support. The General, however, denied having unprepared operation and violated chain of command since suspended PNP Director General Alan Purisima, a known friend of the president, serve as mediator between him and the President. As for the lack of control over other SAF in the area who are part of the operation, he should be questioned about it for not ordering them to reinforce the fighting troopers.

A suspended General took part in the preparation of the operation. Gen. Alan Purisima exercised official functions removed from him. He served as a mediator between the SAF Director and the