DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 4 Feb) – Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte will ask permission from the city council next week for the city to donate P1 million for the children of the 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Forces (PNP-SAF) troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Duterte said he would be donating the amount on behalf of the city to a foundation raising funds for the education of the children of the policemen slain during the encounter.
Duterte also visited the burial of SPO1 Lover Inocencio in Panabo City.
In an interview aired Tuesday night at GMA 7, former SAF chief Getulio Napenas said the mission was well-planned by junior officers of the team.
However, the plan went awry when forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front attacked the support force that would have provided backup to the assault force in charge of apprehending Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.
MILF forces, as well as Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, pinned down the police commandos.
The military was criticized for failing to provide backup but the AFP leadership has since clarified that the SAF coordinated too late, and with too little details..
“Even the AFP said that there was no prior consultation with the military at the time,” Duterte said.
However, the mayor said he’s not supporting the calls for an independent international body to investigate the incident.
According to Duterte, the operation could have gone more smoothly had all parties considered every aspect of the area. “Even I, even the military, even any cigarette vendor knows that no one should enter that area without support,” Duterte said.
