The forgotten SAF 44

Just like what I mentioned in my radio program Action Line sa Radyo Inquirer 990 (every Saturday, 12:30-1:30pm), this government has fully abandoned the pursuit for justice of its brave warriors, the SAF 44.

President Aquino did not even mentioned them in his State of the Nation address, a big and controversial issue that nearly tore this country apart. What the President did not understand is the fact that it is highly necessary for the government to campaign for the attainment of justice for these ill-fated troopers because they were supposed to be the long arm of the law!

What kind of leadership do we show the world when we cannot even protect and defend the rights of the very ones who are supposed to implement the law? In other countries, when criminals kill cops, groups of cops undertake hot pursuit operations to kill those bastards. The reason is simple--government must impress upon everybody it is a serious crime to kill even one cop. How will our people respect the cop uniform when we see them getting none of the justice which they truly deserve?

It is now 185 days after that Mamasapano massacre, and government has not even moved an inch towards filing criminal charges against those responsible for killing our brave warriors. Why?

The blood of our warriors shout unto high heavens from those fields where they fell.

Since when is an apology a political trap?

Mea culpa or mortification in the language of Communicators, is one strategy towards recovery in an event of a PR crisis. Sometimes, it is best to convey this especially if the issue involves the loss of lives. This is being held as an effective tool in mitigating the effects of a crisis. In cases where emotions are high over a perceived serious consequence of an action, communicators normally counsel their clients to admit responsibility and seek mortification. Fact is, it is included in William Benoit's model for image restoration after a PR crisis.

In the case of President Benign S. Aquino III, I cannot simply understand why he is being prevailed upon by his political allies, particularly Senators Antonio Trillions IV and Bam Aquino not to express his sadness and seek for mortification on the Mamasapano massacre.

For one, Aquino is not legally liable for his actions since he did it during the time as Commander in Chief. Admit that there were operational lapses yet those lapses were not committed by Aquino but by a subordinate, if one is to believe the various reports. Can he be held legally responsible for the deaths of the 44 SAF commandos? No. Why? Because it was ascertained that they died due to the non-observance of established protocols.

I was fortunate to have talked with several experts in this field (I talked with a General and a PMAer) and honestly, Getulio Napenas committed several infractions among which is the lack of an exit strategy in the event of a clash. It was held in the Mamasapano report that there was only one exit--which was the way where the SAF commandos entered. The basic SOP especially among operatives is one will not go the way he entered the place of operations. In the SAF case, the troopers tried to escape thru the riverine route which they initially used to enter the MILF camp. They should have considered another route for escape and exit. Fault this with the lack of appreciation of the terrain, which should have been easily remedied by studying aerial maps.

Of course, this does not answer the penultimate question as to why there were no reinforcements made or why Aquino and his peace advisers failed to communicate to their counterparts for the cessation of hostilities. That is another matter altogether.

Insofar as liability in the operational execution of the plan, Aquino is not entirely at fault since based again on the report, Napenas did not execute it the way it should have been executed.

An apology from Aquino is the best ending or closure so to speak, about this matter. It is highly unlikely that shortly after his apology, groups out to get his head would heighten their campaign against Aquino.

Fact is, a mortification would surely disarm these groups because the emotional aspect of this crisis would severely be eradicated. What Aquino lost was his higher moral ascendancy. A mortifying event could afford him a way to regain this.

What's to fear when your President says his subordinate lied to him?

Now, it's back to Napenas, after President Pnoy initially said, it was Alan Purisima who fooled him on the true situation of the 44 SAF troopers who went to Mamasapano only to meet inhumane deaths.

In his 3pm meeting with religious leaders, Pnoy accused Napenas of giving him false information, of "fooling" and "lying to him."

This is quite insane and very dangerous, if you ask me.

The president simply admitted his incompetence. The question really is--why did the President allowed himself to be fooled and lied with? If you are a competent leader, the next best thing that any normal leader would do is re-validate the information from other sources?

President Aquino is arguably, the most powerful man in this country. He has in his control, thousands of people. Is he saying that he wasn't able to re-validate the information using other sources? Don't tell me that during the Mamasapano operation, it was only Napenas who knew what was happening? 

Being the leader, the Chief Executive and the Commander-in-Chief, Aquino has both the AFP and the PNP in his beck and call. Likewise, Aquino has billions of pesos of intelligence funds at his disposal. He likewise has the NICA and other agencies and of course, he has his OPAPP and his buddy, ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman at his side, always ready to supply him with information, truthful information.

Likewise, don't tell me that those 12 long hours, Aquino did not think of calling other people to provide him with truthful information to guide him in his actions? 

It appears that Pnoy knew all along what was happening--then, why did he not call MILF leader Al Haj Murad directly and asked him if Murad can command his troops and ask them to stand down? Don't tell me that these things did not cross the mind of Aquino.

Because if it didn't, then, we have a very serious problem of competence here. 

We have a President that is as clueless and as gullible as any other ordinary guy bordering on stupidity.

How many times did other people fool this president? How can you now trust this President who does not even know how to re-validate information given to him? Who believes information given to him and prefers to stick to his guns inspite of the fact that the basis of his belief lies on faulty or wrongful premises?

President Aquino just revealed how incompetent he was and is still is, as leader of this country. How shameful that his incompetence led to the deaths of these men.

BOI report on Mamasapano massacre aims for closure

JM, do you know why we are in such a state of poverty and of political anarchy? Do you know why our democracy is one of the weakest in the world?

My son, read our History and you'll find that our democracy is one which sits atop a mound of human bones. We have piled up so many that the souls of those who died tragically continually shout themselves hoarse up to the Highest Heavens, yet no one seems to mind them among the living.

From the very beginnings of this Republic, inhumanity and injustice have attended its inauguration. Several of our patriotic kin died without getting justice.

Do we now continue this with the forty four members of the Special Action Force (SAF)? Do we sweep it under the rug just to please our "partners in peace"--the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)?

Today, the PNP Board of Inquiry will submit its "un-biased" investigation on the incident. Senior superintendent Magalong who heads the board, will submit his report to the President.

At this point, no one knows what are the recommendations included in the report. Surely, like any other police report, there are two (2) kinds of people in this report---victims and the ones who perpetuated the crime.

Likewise, the BOI report did not include a testimony from the President himself because the board did not interview the Chief Executive.

Now, the question really is---what will we do with the report? What if the report recommends the prosecution of certain members of the MILF? Will the MILF submit to the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines considering that the rebel group thinks it is a separate sovereign having been granted belligerency status by Aquino?

The ends of justice actually actually goes and ends exactly at the very footsteps of the MILF leadership. This report can be used to file criminal charges against those who perpetuated this dastardly and inhumane crime. The next question is---will government exercise its strong political will and go after those named principals and accomplices--even if these people are members of the MILF?

The test of this administration remains. In fact, it is just starting. 

Dear Pnoy

Dear Pnoy,

Five years ago, I was one of those bloggers who wrote about you, and defended you from my colleagues online. Many were bashing you, accusing you of being simple minded, and without qualifications. You were being attacked by almost everyone online because no one knew you. No one ever heard of your name except of course, when your mother died and you were suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

I don't usually endorse anybody here in this site but five years ago, I broke my promise and endorsed your name here. There is something in me which protested but for the sake of the country, I deemed it wise to defend you and shield you from brickbats.

Many were saying that you're incompetent because for the ten years you served as congressman and eventually, senator, nothing substantial came out of it. Ask me what law did you were able to pass that benefited everyone and I'll be hard put identifying one. Ask me if during your stint as Congressman did you even do something, anything that benefitted Tarlac, and again, i'll be very hard for me to identify one.

Ask me if, during your stint as senator, you did something for the sake of the many, and like the first two questions, again, it'll be very hard to answer that.

I guess during those times when I spent sometime at the Balai, the headquarters of Mar Roxas in 2009 and 2010 when I met you, I felt that I owe it to you to support you. Never mind if supporting you means like supporting Erap. The fact of the matter is, there was this sense of urgency felt by many that we need someone like you to lead because those who want to serve were either very rich, hence, having a personal agenda why they want the presidency or very "dogg-ish" or "puppy-like" meaning a bet of a hated administration.

When your name was called after a short brownout early in the morning, I figured that you were the one chosen as a good "compromise" among elites. These elites allowed or probably even "conspired" to elect you because first, you spent ten years of your life living as a corporate man and two, ten years of being a politician. For me, that's enough preparation for you, even though many people doubted you.

Your first executive order was a dud. But your speech was okey. And then the Manila hostage crisis happened. Was it a portent of things to come? I hoped not.

Then, the first three years were okey, when I was fortunate enough to see changes in the attitude and behaviour of people working in government. I saw it first hand.

I saw changes happening at the bureau of immigration. I saw some change in the bureau of customs. I saw how happy government employees were, inspite of the downsizing of some and forced resignations of many.

And then came 2014. I was privy of how corrupt some of your men became. Some of them were asked to come up with funds for their political parties. They were using their positions to get some monies.

Then some of your men ordered some publicists to hit Vice president Binay. Conniving with a wealthy miner, they tried to cast aspersions against the second in command.

Then, two typhoons came which many died due to government neglect. This caused me to think--am I being managed by a competent president and government? Those casualties might have been avoided.

And now, this massacre of your own police force by those you admit to have trusted and by those you considered your friends and allies.

This incident should not be swept under the rug. It says something else if the President himself of the Republic would not give justice to those whose jobs are to secure justice for all.

Mr. President, this is not something which you can just wash your hands ala Caesar. No.

This has tremendous impact on the nature and future of this Republic. This issue is more than skin deep. This issue hits the very core of your legitimacy as the leader of 100 million souls--this is all about authority.

Mr. President you have allowed the MILF to assume a status of belligerency, something which was not even in the minds of your predecessors simply because they know the implications of such a thing.

Mr. President by doing so, you have subverted the will of the people and placed democracy at death's knell. You have now allowed disfranchisement of this Nation which our ancestors have worked so hard to create.

There is still time for you to change your mind. There is even time for you to think very hard on what you want to do.

On Mamasapano Massacre Update: Pnoy knew about the clashes early morning of January 25

On the Mamasapano clash probe before the Senate, former PNP chief Alan Purisima revealed that as early as 5 plus in the morning, President Aquino already knew about the clash and possibly, and I say, possibly, Aquino was fed with wrong information.

Again, let me reiterate what the core of this issue is all about---this is about LEADERSHIP, which many people think President Aquino was unable to do during the time those SAF troopers were being gunned down by members of the MILF.

Now, what administration allies at the Senate wanted to state is that how can Aquino dispense leadership when he was fed wrong information?

Let me be straight---this Senate probe is being used to shield the President from direct responsibility. The question remained--did the President exercised leadership during those critical moments?

No.

Even if the President was fed wrong information, as alleged by administration ally Senator Chiz Escudero, he should have used his enormous powers to know the real score. What was important was he knew that a clash was already on-going and the proper judgment was exert all efforts to extricate those SAF troopers from the battlefield. Never mind if there was a ceasefire since the President himself, when he agreed on this operation and when those troopers were sent already violated it by his very action.

This is what the people wanted the President to admit and stop defending the MILF. The MILF can defend for themselves.

Mamasapano Clash and Why President Aquino should step down: Placing the Peace Process at its most fragile state

The Mamasapano massacre is just one of many serious maljudgements President Benigno S. Aquino III and his cabinet did for the past five years. Aquino's actions in relation to the Mamasapano massacre which left 44 SAF dead and 18 MILF fighters seriously put the entire peace process in danger. Aquino's judgments are faulty and places the State in a perilous condition. He is a danger even to himself.

1. Aquino has put the peace process at its most weakened and its most perilous state since 1992.

First, Aquino opted to listen to the advice of his friend, ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman and some of his friends over at Akbayan led by Presidential political adviser Llamas to appoint Teresita Deles, a self-proclaimed anti-poverty expert, to lead the peace process. Deles does not have a background in conflict resolution and mitigation. Deles has not even taken any course in relation to diplomacy or international relations. She professes to know the Bangsamoro problem but never really dug deep to understand it.

Meaning, Deles should not have been appointed to the post. Deles is even detested by the Reaffirmists side of the Leftist movement for her close association with the deviants, the Rejectionist block of Akbayan.

Second, Aquino opted to deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) alone, which is, again, a very bad judgment. Yes, the MILF is the biggest armed rebel group, but it does not follow that it should be the main party counterpart of the Republic. For one, the GRP has already a standing agreement with its predecessor, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). But, since the MNLF is closely identified with the efforts of the Marcoses, Aquino probably thought it best to deal with its break-away group, leaving behind years of negotiations and peace efforts made by the government with the Bangsamoro people with the MNLF.

What was the cost of this very bad judgment---scores dead, several hundred injured and billions of pesos lost when the MNLF attacked Zamboanga City. Unknown to many, Zamboanga City is still a tent city because of the devastation wrought by war between government forces and the Moro rebels. 

By getting the advice of Hataman, Aquino gave the go-signal to negotiate with the MILF. What Aquino did not know or probably knew but just shrugged it off, those he is talking with on the side of the MILF are personalities who do not enjoy the full and complete support of the MILF fighters on the ground.

The MILF strongly adheres to Islam--a religious philosophical thought system. Salamat Hashim, the former MILF chief, is not just a political animal--he was a certified scholar, even considered an Aleem by many Bangsamoro fighters. Unlike Murad, Hashim's stature was more credible to most MILF commanders and fighters. Many MILF fighters already knew that by the time Murad assumes power, he will compromise the fight for independence of the group. That explains why notable commanders such as Commander Umbra Kato of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) refused to acknowledge Murad's leadership. One of the most striking difference is Murad's compromising stance, something which Salamat Hashim refused to do when he was still alive. Hashim knew that the Bangsamoro Question would only be resolved through the establishment of an Islamic state and being pragmatic, he saw that "Imperialist Manila" would not grant such without a brutal fight.

Besides, why favour talking with the MILF when this group does not enjoy belligerency status? The true partners for peace of the government was the MNLF but because former Professor Nur Misuari was considered an "enemy of the state" (because no effort was made to involve him in the peace talks, convinced of the belief that the MNLF is already a "broken organisation", with several groups claiming legitimacy over Misuari's leadership of the Council), the government decided to deal with the MILF.

Without really studying the true condition on the ground, the government led by Aquino began negotiating with the MILF leadership, even to a point of granting them "belligerency status" with Aquino even visiting MILF chairman Al Haj Murad in Tokyo, Japan.

What Aquino did not consider is the status of Murad in the organisation, something which former US ambassador Kristie Kenney recognised or described as "problematic." As early as 2008, Kenney already know that if the government continue negotiations with Murad, there is a big possibility of an MILF split, something which happened when Kato broke and organised the BIFF.

Kenney asked the most relevant question--if negotiations do arrive at a very favourable prospect, will Murad guarantee compliance of most, if not all, MILF fighters? This is now answered by what happened in Mamasapano which it took the MILF leadership close to 10 hours just to ask for a ceasefire among their fighters.

In Mamasapano, the most relevant question to the MILF is this--during those times, who assumed leadership? Was it the MILF 105th brigade commander or the BIFF commander? This is one question which Murad failed to provide an answer. We asked why it took so long for the committee on the cessation of hostilities to intervene when the SAF command post was just 10 kilometres away from the area of battle. Answer---the order to cease fire was not fully recognised or respected by MILF fighters, much more, the BIFF.

Fact is--the Mamasapano clash is most relevant for the Bangsamoro rebels in the area because for the first time ever, the MILF and the BIFF Bangsamoro fighters stood side-by-side against government forces. Yes, reports say the MILF and the BIFF once more "fought in the arena of battle" shortly after Mamasapano, yet, no reports of casualties--why? These so-called "battles" are described as "mock battles", just to show Peace adviser Teresita Deles that Murad and his group can still command several forces in the disputed areas.

The Mamasapano clash is indicative of a serious command and control problem which was not recognised or identified early on and which no mechanism can ever cure because it is beyond anything---it is a question of legitimate authority which only the MILF can resolve.

Now, with the BBL hanging in the balance, and the MILF issuing strong statements in the form of dictation to the GRP (" No to changes in the BBL"), the possibility of a more intense war in the South looms larger and more serious than years past. 

Why? 

A failure now will effect a unity among disparate forces in the Bangsamoro, which eventually will become a major stumbling block to peace efforts. MILF and BIFF forming one group? Consider the extreme--MILF-BIFF-MNLF and even the ASG as one. 

On the Mamasapano Massacre and why do we need to change the current leadership

There are five indisputable reasons why it is highly necessary to change the current leadership.

First, there should be a change to allow for the strengthening of the government position vis-a-vis the Bangsamoro peace talks. Obviously, this government is too close for comfort with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership, as admitted by the President itself. The current actions of the government in relation to the Mamasapano massacre speak for itself. The government has shown weakness, which is, really, unusual, to say the least. It is either this administration has been held hostage by ideological personalities pursuing the Bangsamoro line or it is too irresponsible.

Second, there should be a government that is entirely beyond doubt as to its loyalty to the principles of democracy. Democracy means fairness. Democracy means a level playing field. These past few years, this administration has effected a bigoted version of democracy, one that requires doing acts which are deemed unconstitutional and immoral yet, highly legal on the purview of those in power. The business community has been affected by the unequal treatment of this administration. It favours business interests close to the Powers-that-be.

Third, this administration is too weak politically, militarily and even, diplomatically. This proceeds from its perverted view on how to manage the affairs of the state. In an era of shifting sands, this cannot be. The Philippine State should be resilient enough to counter acts of other states against its sovereign interests. Its treatment of China's continued military build-up in the Spratlys and its soft treatment of the MILF are signs of a very weak administration managing a weakened state.

Fourth, the 2016 elections is a very important milestone in Philippine history. Another transition fraught with electoral fraud would surely cause political destabilisation of a magnitude never before seen in Philippine history. Doubts about the sincerity of this administration to administer a fair election hangs. There are strong indications that this administration would try and use even the enormous resources of government just to install its preferred candidate come 2016. Even if violence does not break now, violence caused by electoral fraud would surely occur in 2016, the very minute this administration tries to bully its way just to get what it wants and that is, a favourable administration that would assure no criminal charges are filed against Aquino and his minions.  Aquino and the rest of his cabinet are well-aware of the possibility of incurring criminal complaints and even the prospect of incarceration due to their violations of the Constitution in relation to the PDAF and DAP scandals. This administration, of course, avoids anything that would make it accountable for these violations. There are lingering views that this administration would exercise all its powers just to prevent the opposition from assuming power.

Lastly, there are obvious faults in the present 1987 Constitution which needs immediate modification at the very least or immediate deletion. Without changing the Constitution, there can never be substantial changes not just in the bureaucracy but also in the economy. The over reliance of the government in private-public partnerships and its avoidance of building infrastructures and industries is proof positive of the flaws now inherent in the constitution.

Of course, these arguments are somewhat in dissonance with some thoughts about allowing Pnoy to continue his administration since it is just one and a half years na lang siya in Power. That is exactly the problem. Aquino exercises no leadership, and therefore, it is of importance that the elites come together immediately and effect a change now, not in 2016.

Inhumanity of Mamasapano massacre

I think the reason why everyone is so angry at this time about what happened in Mamasapano  Maguindanao is how the rebels (who are supposed to be our government's partners for peace) treated those SAF troopers. Videos uploaded in Youtube shows an injured SAF being gunned down. That is clearly not just a violation of the ceasefire agreement but on established Articles of War.

The sheer brutality and inhumane treatment which these criminals did was truly gut wrenching to say the least. And to think that these rebels retaliated not because they were being attacked but because they were protecting their prized possessions--two foreign terrorists living within their midst.

And the reason why the people are so angry is because of the government's failure to at least protest what these rebels did to those who were just doing their jobs.

Why kill an armed man? Or a man already down and gasping for air? How about those who were in the throes of death being shot at and even mutilated?

President Aquino's speech last February 6, 2015: Analysis and Effects

President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted that he is responsible for the deaths of the forty four troopers of the Special Action Force (SAF). He claims victory since the main target of the operation is to neutralise Zulkifli al hit alias "Marwan". A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report confirms  that, indeed, the DNA material gathered through the finger reportedly severed from Marwan's hand is of the terrorist's.

Aquino terms the operation as a "success" although with much sacrifice from the paratroopers who conducted it.

Mabigat ang naging kapalit ng tagumpay na ito. 44 na bayani ng Special Action Force ang nagbuwis ng buhay. Sa mga pamilya ng nasawi: Noong nakaraang Biyernes po, nakiusap akong makapanayam kayo, at salamat naman at pinagbigyan ninyo ako, sa panahong puwede ko na kayong makausap nang may dalang sapat na kaalaman sa nangyari, at mga mungkahi para sa inyong kinabukasan. At gaya po ng responsibilidad ko sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay, responsibilidad ko rin kayo; tungkulin kong siguruhing masusuklian nang tama ang sakripisyo ng inyong mga kaanak. Iyon pa rin po ang panata ko sa inyo: Sa nalalabi kong labimpitong buwan sa puwesto, ginagawa ko na at gagawin ko pa ang lahat ng nararapat para tiyaking nasa maayos ang inyong kalagayan.
Ako ang Ama ng Bayan, at 44 sa aking mga anak ang nasawi. Hindi na sila maibabalik; nangyari ang trahedya sa ilalim ng aking panunungkulan; dadalhin ko po hanggang sa huling mga araw ko ang pangyayaring ito. Responsibilidad ko po sila, kasama ang buong puwersa ng SAF sa operasyong ito, pati na ang mga nagligtas sa kanila na nalagay din sa panganib ang buhay.

I agree. Yes, SAF troopers are ready to die for their country, but really the central issue here, and which everyone I think shares this with me is this: in every operation, the goal is to accomplish it without or at least minimum casualty. In this case, the entire operations team was killed by the enemy.

And this is NOT without anomaly--the President himself admitted in his speech that the situation has changed several times from the original plan.

2002 pa po wanted sina Marwan at Usman. Marami nang operasyon para tugisin sila, bago pa tayo maging Pangulo. Itong pinakahuling bersiyon ng plano ay makailang ulit na rin pong in-abort. Tulad ninyo, gusto ko ring malaman ang buong nangyari sa pagkakataong ito, at buo ang tiwala kong lilitaw ito sa isang masusi at walang-kinikilingang imbestigasyon ng Board of Inquiry. Inaabangan po natin ang resulta nito. Pero bilang Pangulo, kasama po sa aking responsibilidad ang matukoy, ngayon na, ang mga nangyaring mali, upang maitama agad ito. Tungkulin kong mahanap ang katarungan sa lalong madaling panahon.
Dahil nga po dito, nagsagawa ako ng sariling pagsisiyasat at panayam sa mga kasama sa operasyong ito. Malinaw pong lumalabas: Malayo na ang sitwasyong dinatnan ng mga tropa, sa inasahan sa plano.

The question really is---the President accuses the former SAF commander of a wrong assessment. Aquino surely knew this from the start.

As Commander-in-Chief, and admittedly, the next one other than resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima who knew about Oplan Wolverine, the onus of responsibility actually lies with HIM. In every operation, it is the President as the highest man in the chain of command who can order the go signal.

The question is--why did the President allowed a subordinate to proceed as planned, knowing fully well that the operation has been compromised? The president failed to explain what was the difference between the first and the last plan.

We all know that the President is not a military man; hence, his knowledge of strategies and tactics are all basic. Surely, there is another person beside him who probably gave him counsel during those times.

In no straight terms, Aquino then shifted his speech to that of the purported resignation of Purisima. In this part of his speech, Aquino in no certain terms pointed to Purisima. Aquino says in very straight terms that Purisima is leaving "under these circumstances".

Kaya nga po, siguro naman ay maiintindihan ninyo kung bakit masakit para sa akin na aalis siya sa serbisyo sa ilalim ng ganitong pagkakataon. Tinatanggap ko po, effective immediately, ang resignation ni General Purisima. At nagpapasalamat ako sa mahabang panahon ng kanyang paglilingkod bago mangyari ang trahedyang ito.

This phrase is deceptive to say the least. It is now clear---Purisima resigned due to this issue. This is the president's admission--that Purisima was indeed, involved in this operation and because of this, he is resigning.

This admission opens a floodgate of questions.

1. Purisima was ordered suspended by the Courts prior to this operation. Who gave Purisima the power to command and control? Surely, it is the President. 
2. Purisima resigned because of this issue. That is an admission that he took part in this operation, since his resignation was not about his current legal predicament but on this issue, as claimed by the President. So, then, that shows us that Purisima assumed a major role in this botched operation. 
3. Since Purisima did, indeed took part, then, here comes the great question--who gave him the power while he was under suspension? Did he managed the operation alone? Of course not! The President admitted in the clearest tone that he is responsible. So, who gave him faulty counsel which led to the deaths of the SAF troopers?
4. Did the President broke the law when he took Purisima under his bosom to direct this operation? Yes. The president once more, disrespected the order of a co-equal constitutional body--the Office of the Ombudsman. Imagine, Aquino did not even consider that Purisima was suspended, and therefore, cannot mobilise augmentation troops that easily knowing full well that he is not fully in control of the organisation. 
5. What happens now with Purisima? He remains a member of the police force until his retirement. His resignation only affects his position as chief PNP, not his rank and surely, not his status. What about his case before the Ombudsman? It will definitely continue since he is being accused of something which he did while chief of the police force. That is settled.

Now, here comes the scandalous part. 

In his speech, the President called on the MILF to surrender those who are responsible for the carnage.

Sa mga kasapi at liderato ng MILF: Mula pa noong umpisa, tinuturing ko kayo bilang mga kapatid sa paghahangad ng kapayapaan. At hanggang ngayon, umaasa ako na tutulong kayo na hanapin ang hustisya; kailangang panagutin ang lahat ng may sala, lalo na kung totoong may mga sugatan at hindi makalaban na tuluyan pa ring pinatay. Magandang unang hakbang ang pagkilos ninyo upang limitahan ang kilos ng BIFF.
Ukol naman kay Usman, nais kong ipahayag: Kung nasa loob siya ng inyong teritoryo o nasa ilalim siya ng pangangalaga ng sinuman sa inyo, inaasahan kong isusuko ninyo siya sa mga awtoridad. Kung hindi, ay gawin ang lahat upang tumulong sa pagdakip sa kanya. At kung hindi pa rin maaari ito, ay huwag makialam sa aming pag-uusig kay Usman.
Magsilbi sana itong babala at paalala: Huhulihin namin si Usman, anuman ang maging desisyon ninyo, sino man ang kumukupkop sa kanya, at saan man siya nagtatago. Walang dapat magduda: Magkatuwang ang adhikain natin para sa kapayapaan at katarungan. Sa mga naliligaw naman ng landas, na magtatangka pang humadlang sa pagtugis namin kay Usman, tandaan  na ninyo: Estado ang kalaban ninyo, at sasagasaan namin kayo.

Notice in his speech, that the President already acknowledged one violation of the Articles of War committed by the MILF-- the killing of those probably unarmed or unable to fire back. Aquino should have issued as stronger speech given that the main goal of the speech is to establish him as Commander-in-Chief. This paragraph is more of an appeal rather than a quest for justice. It is more prudent to say the least for the president to strongly demand that the MILF turn over their men who committed these atrocities. 

The President also reiterated his firm commitment to the attainment of peace in Mindanao.

Sa lahat po ng nakikisanib sa atin sa paghahangad ng kapayapaan: Desidido kaming ituloy ang laban. At gusto ko rin naman pong sabihin sa mga humaharang sa ating adhikain, lalo na ang mga gumagamit ng dahas: Itaga ninyo sa bato, lalo pa ninyong madarama ang pinatalas at pinatinding lakas ng nagkakaisang sambayanang Pilipino.
Manatili sana tayong nakatutok sa ating pangunahing layunin: Ang malawakan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Ito ang ipinaglaban ng Special Action Force sa Mamasapano. Ito ang patuloy na ipinaglalaban ng bawat disenteng Pilipinong gustong mag-iwan ng mas magandang kinabukasan para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan, matatamo natin ang katarungan, masusuklian natin ang sakripisyo ng ating kapulisan, at matutupad natin ang ating kolektibong mga pangarap.

This is entirely problematic. For one, it is certain that the President wants the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law under no uncertain terms. The issue nga is the BBL was subjected to uncertainty because of the absence of a mechanism which would prevent such operational things from happening ever again. Admittedly, the BBL is still a very raw draft. It even needs surgical operation, says one legislator.

Why push for the passage of an incomplete law? The prospect of success is dim. Just because the government had committed itself with the MILF leadership that this law is to be passed this March, the government will run roughshod any attempts at further fine-tuning such a measure? Is this the right way? This is NOT a legacy worth giving to future generations, Mr. President. If this very raw and uncertain bill is passed, it will create more destabilisation and worse, wars and conflicts that would surely be worst ever.

Prudence dictates that this bill be studied more carefully and passed when all issues are settled.