PNP-SAF Chief to support probe, but will not be part of investigation

The newly assigned Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) chief denied the allegation of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that some 120 police commandos assigned to give aid to other SAF members in Mamasapano, Maguindanao did nothing much to save their comrades in the clash that occurred last January 25 with various armed groups.

SAF Director Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo said Trillanes’ allegation was simply “not true.”

“When the 55th and 84th SACs (Special Action Company) were pinned down, they also tried to reinforce, help and extricate the SACs but all their attempts failed,” Lazo said.

However, he said that the PNP is open to investigate the action of all the 300 SAF members deployed in Mamasapano that day, and that the SAF leadership will cooperate if an investigation is conducted by other groups, but will not conduct the probe itself.

Lazo said: “If I will investigate, it will be biased and self-serving. Senator Trillanes said he will investigate. We will support this plan.”