After the Mamasapano probes, what?

THE SENATE has completed its hearings, the Philippine National Police’s board of inquiry has concluded its investigation, and the House of Representatives is wrapping up its investigation of “Oplan Exodus.”

Oplan Exodus was launched to capture Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his Filipino partner, Basit Usman. The PNP Special Action Force led the assault deep into Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters territory and this resulted in the death of 44 SAF commandos, 17 Muslim rebels and three civilians. The main objective, Marwan, was shot dead and his right index finger was cut off so that the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation could confirm his identity. The Philippines, as a member of the United Nations, is obliged to cooperate in efforts to capture, dead or alive, international terrorists like Marwan. The US government had put up a bounty of $6 million for Marwan.

After viewing on TV the proceedings of the hearings of both the Senate and the House and reading up on the reports of Senate public order committee chair Sen. Grace Poe, the findings of the board of inquiry and statements issued by its chair, I, a plain citizen of our country, have arrived at the following conclusions:

1. President Aquino had full knowledge in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus. He gave the authority to launch Oplan Exodus. He is responsible for Oplan Exodus.

2. He limited the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus to only two individuals: suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and then Special Action Force head Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas.

3. Newly-promoted Chief Supt. Fernando Mendez Jr., head of the PNP Intelligence Group, was a senior officer of the PNP when he was consulted in earlier discussions of Oplan Exodus.

4. Three people are responsible for Oplan Exodus. They are President Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas. The Philippine Constitution and relevant laws and jurisprudence apply to this situation.

I, with millions of my countrymen, are still waiting for the next step the ranking Filipino officials of our country will do in this particular situation, starting with President Aquino himself.

—APOLONIO G. RAMOS,

42 Mindanao Street,

Marikina City