Former President Benigno S. Aquino III has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss the criminal complaints filed by parents of slain members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, stressing he has no direct participation over the bungled “Oplan: Exodus” operations in Masasapano, Maguindanao two years ago.
Instead, he blamed former PNP-SAF chief Director Getulio P. Napeñas over the tragedy for disobeying his instruction to coordinate the operations with the Armed Forces.
In a 25-page counter-affidavit, Aquino said he was saddened by the unnecessary loss of lives due to “poor planning, defective execution, and lack of coordination with the AFP.”
He said he was not directly involved in the planning and preparation of the operation but relied solely on the information relayed to him by Napeñas.
“Only the broad and general strokes were presented to me during the briefing,” Aquino said, adding that he was not privy and had no knowledge of the operational details.
“The charge of reckless imprudence must fail and the complaints against me must be dismissed,” he added.
Aquino said at that time he believed that the operational details were not only complete but extensively planned and reviewed by experienced police officers on the ground.
Aquino pointed out that the operational plan presented to him was merely for information as no approval from him is required to raid the lair of Muslim rebels and get Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”
The former Chief Executive submitted his counter affidavit before the December 19 deadline set by the Ombudsman to file his rebuttal to the complaints filed separately by Erlinda Allaga, Celestino Kaingan, and Telly Submilla who accused Aquino of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide. (JUN RAMIREZ)