(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has called for the creation of an independent commission to probe anew the Mamasapano tragedy, as he bared that the bloody incident that killed 44 troopers of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) was actually an operation of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
On Tuesday, during his speech addressing the kin of the slain SAF troopers two years ago, the President said he has no quarrel with former President Benigno Aquino III under whose directions the PNP’s Oplan Exodus was planned, but he said past investigations “left a void” for the victims of Mamasapano tragedy.
“I’m addressing myself to former President Aquino. I don’t have any quarrel with you. I don’t want to disturb your life now that you are retired … But all the investigations unfortunately left a void and unless we address the issues and find the reasons why, (only) then will the families of the SAF 44 have a respite,” Mr. Duterte said.
“Otherwise, they will bring to their grave the hurt and agony that they had to endure losing a husband, a father, a brother. The investigation, you could have completed it,” he added.
He also questioned Aquino and his trusted former PNP chief why they did not reveal to the public that Oplan Exodus was actually a CIA operation.
“Bakit ninyo tinago na iyon was an operation of the CIA?” he said.
“Let it brought out in the open. It was an American adventure with the cooperation of some with your blessing,” Duterte added.
Oplan Exodus targeted Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was killed during the operation.
His index finger was even allegedly cut off for identification by SAF commandos who killed the alleged terrorist, as they were unable to take his body when the rebels were alerted by the shooting.
The President said he was just telling the truth, and do not like to quarrel with anybody.
He said there were many issues left hanging, and questions left unanswered by former President Aquino and his men.
“You (Aquino) could just simply say, ako ang gumawa nito, ako yung nag-order pero I left it to Purisima to do the direction. But I made the crucial decision maybe along the way, I was also giving inputs with the sense of being in charge,” Mr. Duterte said addressing the former President.
He also questioned why it was the PNP-SAF that was sent to Mamasapano when SAF was “geared to meet the challenges of urban terrorism.”
He also questioned why the operation was even under wraps, that the Armed Forces of the Philippines did not know about it.
“Kasi if hindi ninyo ito masagot,… walang katapusan ito,” he said. “It bugs me really because it is something which i am not responsible for, and yet i have to answer these questions because i am now what used to be you.”
“It behooves upon now for me to find out,” the President said.
