Aquino charged over 2015 Mamasapano operation
THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, Nov. 8, filed graft and usurpation of authority charges against former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III over the Jan. 25, 2015 Mamasapano anti-terror operation.
Dropped, however, for lack of evidence were the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, as filed by relatives of the 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in the firefight that followed the covert operation that killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
At least 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and a number of civilians also died in the clashes.
The charges filed at the Sandiganbayan follow those filed against Mr. Aquino’s co-accused, former Philippine National Police chief Alan L.M. Purisima and former SAF director Getulio P. Napeñas, Jr.
Usurpation of authority is a criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code.
Both cases stem from Mr. Aquino’s allegedly allowing Mr. Purisima to oversee Oplan Exodus even if he was under suspension at the time because of corruption charges over an irregular contract for the delivery of firearms licenses.
Mr. Purisima was eventually dismissed from the service by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The opposition Liberal Party, for its part, said in a statement on Wednesday: “It is unthinkable for then President Benigno Aquino III to make a decision that would endanger the lives of our policemen and soldiers, or parade them helpless in the firing line. No President, or any father of the nation, would do that. We maintain that President Aquino, after thorough consultation with officials, only did what he deemed best and right under the situation. He did not commit any criminal act or violated any laws or the Constitution. He will clear his name in court and prove he is innocent of the charges. We believe the court will afford him due process and fair trial.” — News5/interaksyon.com