By Raïssa Robles
Hotmanila, the satirical political website of my hubby Alan has been hacked, ostensibly to deliver this message to President Benigno Aquino III:
“We are watching you, Mr. President.”
The hacking apparently took place after Aquino was severely criticized by netizens for showing up late at the wake of the police commandos yesterday. [A fact-check showed that PNoy was late at the site of the wake for four minutes, since his appearance was required at 10 a.m. But the ceremony before his arrival had finished at around 9:38 a.m. so the emcee had announced that they will wait for PNoy’s arrival. During the 22-minute gap between his scheduled arrival and the early end of the rites before that, netizens sharply criticized PNoy for his seeming tardiness. ]
In any case, the hackers placed on Alan’s site the hash tag #NasaanAngPangulo (Where is the President) at the bottom of their message.
UPDATE as of 11:42 PM, Jan 31, 2015 :
Alan’s website is now back up.
– Thanks, Jeriel Mari Lopez!
Here are screen captures of what they posted on Alan’s site:
I discovered the hacking late this morning while drinking my coffee (because I had stayed up late in the night working).
Alan’s reaction was one of amusement.
He told me:
“I was hacked for at least two possible reasons. No 1, I’m famous and a lot of war-loving walter mitty fascists hate me. Apparently, my very minor site makes an impact.
Or more depressingly, number two, my site is easy to attack by script kiddie amateur kindergarten hackers because I never protected it and it can easily be exploited by untalented pretend- hackers who probably don’t have many computing skills and probably use downloaded scripts.”
The day before the hacking, Alan posted an article entitled – “Mamasapano: What happened?” – which drew from his vast reservoir of knowledge as a student of military history. I had posted this link to his piece.
Because of all the recent revelations on the tragic Maguindanao operation, I wanted to reread Alan’s post this morning and so I clicked the link I had placed in my post entitled – Questions on the police commandos’ death in Mindanao from a student of military history.
Like me, Alan is also a freelance journalist who writes for South China Morning Post and other foreign and local publications and is a member of FOCAP. He has a satirical column on abs-cbnnews.com.
At first my bleary eyes thought my fingers had pressed the wrong URL link. I pressed the link again – this time slowly and deliberately – and that was when I realized his site had been hacked.
As for my own site, I know that there have been many attempts to try to hack it. Which is why I have been very careful about posting comments with links. Please bear with me if your comments seem to disappear for a while. It is one of the built-in safety features to keep my blog from getting hacked.
Here is Alan’s original post:
Mamasapano: What happened?
By Alan Robles
At least 44 Special Action Force police commandos were killed in a daylong fight with fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on January 25 in the municipality of Mamasapano in Maguindanao Province, Mindanao. The MILF suffered at least eight casualties. The commandos were trying to neutralize two terrorists, Zulkifli bin Hir (aka Marwan) and Basit Usman, who were supposed to be staying in the village of Tukanalipao, in MILF controlled territory. There are reports that Marwan was killed, but these haven’t been confirmed.
This is what I know so far about what happened, I have no doubt more info will come in.
1. The Sunday operation was called “Wolverine”. It was based on a standing order apparently issued by the President in 2011 to neutralize certain terrorists. Question: what qualifications did this standing order have? Did it define conditions under which the operation was forbidden (such as venturing into MILF territory in possible violation of a ceasefire agreement). Because otherwise it would be tantamount to a blank check. And did the standing order require an executive-sign off on specific operations? In other words, the President had to approve any operation.
2. Wolverine involved SAF alone. Commandos are elite, highly trained, very expensive units intended to be used in quick ops, not prolonged attritional battles. Reports say that 390 SAF commandos, three platoons, were deployed for the operation.
3. The SAF declined to ask for AFP assistance and support. It seems there were no plans and provisions for support, extraction and rescue in case everything went south.
4. The SAF did not inform the MILF of the mission. The SAF commanders knew there were three MILF command bases in the municipality, each presumably capable of deploying strong forces. You’re going to send several hundred commandos, guns blazing, in what is supposed to be ceasefire territory. Imagine how the armed hostiles will feel about it.
5. “Wolverine” had no armor, air and artillery support. I’m not even sure the commandos brought heavy weapons such as HMGs and/or light mortars or recoilless rifles.
6. The target area is open marshland with swamps and a river. Tukanalipao is a village accessible only by a rickety bamboo bridge. The commandos were apparently not familiar enough with the terrain to have set up a safe withdrawal route, which goes against the grain of standard commando ops where units know every detail of their operational area.
7. It seems there was no contingency plan detailing steps to be taken if the operation went wrong.
8. Both terrorists had a combined bounty of US$9 million, offered by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, for their capture
9. The SAF commander only informed his immediate superior of the operation only when it was well underway – and presumably, a recall order was impossible.
10. It was a night/early morning operation (giving the advantage to commandos with night vision gear).
11. The commandos apparently arrived at the area of operations and didn’t immediately go into action, but waited at least an hour. Did they walk and wait? Were they flown in?
12. I suppose the force would have been divided into at least three elements: assault, support and cover/blocking. The assault element attacked the target village and — reportedly — neutralized one target (Marwan). It took DNA samples, then decided to bring the whole body with it
13. At this point things aren’t clear. Did the assault element safely withdraw away from the town, leaving the blocking force to delay pursuit, or was it trapped? One report says it was the covering element that was pinned down in a firefight that lasted nearly 12 hours. What happened to the other platoons?
14. The MILF in turn deployed its forces: apparently the SAF suffered its greatest casualties when its commandos were ambushed as they were crossing the bridge. An MILF blocking force sealed off the area, snipers hidden in the trees and foliage picked off the commandos and kept them pinned down. Mortars and rocket launchers provided supporting heavy fire
15. The trapped force called for military support but this was initially ignored: the soldiers who received the message had not been informed of the operation and thought the call for help was a prank. By the time action was taken it was either late in the day or there was difficulty identifying the commandos and therefore a real risk of firing on them.
16. The Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities called for a ceasefire early on but this was ignored by the MILF, who also reportedly prevented committee members from reaching the battlefield. Committee members managed to infiltrate anyway and spent hours pleading with both sides. Eventually, late in the day, they convinced the combatants to stop firing and pull back.
17. It was a “massacre” in the sense that the SAF detachment wound up outnumbered, outgunned and pinned down. At some point they ran out of ammunition. Perhaps they tried to break out of the trap individually. Ther is no word if they tried surrendering.
Both sides have a lot of explaining to do. On the part of the government, who gave authorization for the operation? Were the commanders aware that the operation was a possible provocation and violation of the ceasefire? If the terrorists had to be caught, why didn’t the government forces move in with sufficient, fully supported strength? And who were those foreigners — allegedly Americans — spotted in the area? It has led to speculation the operation was US-directed. As for the MILF, what were two notorious terrorists doing in its area? Is this an indication of how things will be once it gets its autonomous zone?
___________________________________________
Related posts:
What would an ‘All-Out War’ in Mindanao cost us?
“Wipe them all out” clamor should await an independent probe on Maguindanao bloodbath
Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ daddy messed up Muslim Mindanao big time
Haiku on the death of 44 police commandos
The slain police commandos and the “Moro problem”
Prominent NGO appeals for fair probe on police commando killings; urges no revenge
Questions on the police commandos’ death in Mindanao from a student of military history
What would Pope Francis say about avenging the policemen’s death in Mindanao?
kalakala says
i agree and my sentiments are what @ moonie says: February 6, 2015 at 5:03 am
“most likely, the brotherhood you now speak of was trumped by the ‘wiveshood’. there might have been some sort of mutiny with the 300saf refusing to obey napenas and did not help saved the trapped commandos. I gather the 300saf had received text messages from their wives telling them not to be heroes, not to make them widows, and not make their children fatherless. that sort of thing is enough to make men lose balls. napenas must have been demoralized, his men refused to obey order from him, and obey their wives instead.
I hope that in the spirit of transparency, 300 saf will surrender their cell phones and for once, help with inquiry. give help where they have not helped before, and cooperate.
————————————————————————————————————————–
yes surrender their cellphones, trace and submit all their conversations a week before and at least two days after that tragedy happened. para malaman ang katotohanan kung mayroon mang “wiveshood, familyhood, friendhood and worst robinhood”
Parekoy says
Joeam, don’t you know why you are my favorite fool? Because you keep on shooting yourself!
You strongly claimed:
You are accusing me of not figuring out a solution and I am part of a disease?
I already shared my prescription/solution in January 8, 2015 at 6:58 am
Translation: Must sacrifice Ochoa and Purisima, they are incompetent in the field of anti-terrorism an they only know how to lie when they are cornered. These is one is another taint in Aquino administration.
http://raissarobles.com/2015/01/27/wipe-them-all-out-clamor-should-await-an-independent-probe-on-maguindanao-bloodbath/comment-page-1/#comment-243921
I even repeated a general solution that I thought you are familiar with since you were mentioning those in some of your writings:
Be transparent, accountable, and render justice!
But since you don’t have an credibility whatsoever, you conveniently set it aside and blaming the people for being emotional when we ask for answers on what happened to our, not yours, fallen SAF 44! You are trying to shield Aquino by telling us to support him and implying to give a pass on this one for there is a perception of instability of his administration if we keep on asking these questions. You forgot that the perceived instability is his doing! If at first hint of responsibility on the part of Purisima and Ochoa for the debacle that cost our heroes, not yours, lives, then he could have been decisive and fire those two! Surely most of my countrymen, not yours, will be appeased and calm down because it shows that Aquino is doing something and even ahead in the accountability department!
I can’t hide the fact that I enjoy reminding you of your bungling too!
1. You were wrong in accusing Laude of raping Pemberton and you are rightly branded as cadaver pisser!.
2. I also remind you of your misplaced empathy to Kris Aquino, which lately you saw the light of the danger of her empathy to Binay! Why don’t you email her about that, I remember you giggling like a girl announcing that she emailed you, so you got her contact.
3. Your adulation of Grace Poe, which I already called your attention that her silence about Binay’s corruption and non-appearance in the Blue Ribbon Committee investigations speaks volumes of her, being trapo. Lately, you changed your tune and now criticizing her too.
4. I called for PNoy to fire Binay from his cabinet and your positions is to let him stay even I argued that Binay is undermining PNoy from within. Lately, you saw the light and now you are calling for Aquino to fire Binay!
You are not only a cadaver pisser but you are also slow in thinking. You lamely call me impotent, and I was right all along, even your comebacks are lame! It shows how potent my ideas and positions are whereas yours are the ones impotent as I iterated some above! You might be familiar with impotency because you might have that issues, I don’t so please find a better comeback!
You are also a Joeam come lately! You change your position when it is now convenient for you for you to salvage some of your perceived credibility. When you see the tide is going against your position you adopt the correct one! You are what we call star fruit, balimbing!
Coming back to my solution, it is not yet too late for Aquino to undo what he had inflicted to himself and our nation, not yours! If he fires Purisima and Ochoa right now and also fire Binay from his cabinet as a bonus, my country can start to heal, throw away the perceived instability, and move on! Only Aquino can do this so please, Joeam, don’t transfer the burden on us by calling us to support Aquino blindly and not fire those responsible! Majority of his advisers, his supporters, even here in CPM, and even surprising was the columnists who are his bashers are also advising him the same!
Aquino will be deeper in trouble if he does not help himself in the situation that he can easily get out of. American Presidents did fire their subordinates to show accountability, the Japanese does it as routine; the Koreans even went to the extreme of taking their own lives! Aquino should now realize that he should love more his “Bosses” and our nation than his incompetent subordinates!
As promised, I will keep you real!
Parekoy
Mary says
Shades of get real philippines
BFD says
This is what I find disturbing…
Kaso, me katanungan din ako sa SAF 300, bakit di kayo nakipagbakbakan sa MILF/BIFF nung napaligiran na yung Fallen 44?
Siguro, iyon muna itanong nyo sa sarili nyo. Nakatambay lang kayo sa periphery ng combat zone, pero di nyo ginawang tumulong sa oras na kailangang kailangan kayo.
At least siguro, kung nabaling yung ibang pwersa ng MILF/BIFF sa inyo, may pagkakataon at mapipilitan na ang military na pumasok.
Iyon ang dapat tanong sa SAF300 ng mga kasamahan nilang nagtanong kay Mar.
drill down says
don’t expect your troops to die for you in any battle if you can’t show you can lead them properly and that includes protecting them to the best of your ability. imo, that soldier asked the right question.
caliphman says
After watching and reading all of baycas’ links to AFP Catapang and SAF Napenas interviews, I share the sentiments of drill and the SAF officer. It seems like Napenas idea of coordination is sharing the minimum information by text to OIC Espina and forwarding a copy to AFP high command hoping it will be disseminated down to the local army commander who should have been told. Case in point, the mechanized brigade and army infantry force commanders on scene needed trapped SAF unit locations
to help and now he claims he texted the grid info to Espina who should have passed it on AFP high command. Whats wrong with walking over to the brigade commander since they were both parked nearby and just directly passing the info?? He also claims there had been an earlier effort by the ‘300’ commandos in reserve but hostile fire was too much. But wait a minute, the only SAF casuaties were from the trapped SAF units. So how hard did they really try and why were they not working with the AFP to rescue their fellow commandos? I would wait for the official inquiries to finish but based on the preliinary info I have seen, Napena and perhaps Purisima should be facing criminal negligence charges.
BFD says
@drill down
Kaya nga nariyan ang SAF 300 sa periphery.
84th goes in, kills Marwan, and then get out.
55th is the blocking force to help 84th get out of the target area and into safety.
When they are pinned down, the SAF 300 will be the reinforcements. But they never came, Napenas said he gave the order to reinforce the beleaguered SAF 44. But as the AFP investigation exposed, SAF300 did not or would not want to go help their SAF44 comrades.
If the SAF300 did as they were told, maybe it would not be SAF44, but maybe less, with the Army assisting them and joining in the battle.
I think whoever is in officer in charge of the SAF 300, he is liable for abandoning the SAF44 because of cowardice in the line of duty, unlike the SAF44, as they say, the best and the bravest of the SAF forces.
BFD
vander anievas says
@bfd,
siguro dapat inorderan ng lider ang sarili niya.
go and save the 44!
sa ganon, ung 300 ay maaaring bumuntot sa kanya.
hehehe.
akala ko sa ganyang organization, sumunod ka muna bago sumuway…
BFD says
Sa isang military organization or a police organization for that matter, there is a thing called “brotherhood.” It’s the concern for the safety of your comrades that will be upper most in your mind.
It’s instilled in their hearts and mind together with compliance with the officer’s order, otherwise, you will have a ragtag band of warriors with no discipline.
How do you think the beaches of Normandy was taken? It took guts for the US Marines/Army to penetrate the defense put up by the Germans.
Unlike that battlefield in Mamasapano, the order to reinforce was given but not followed. Who is the officer who did not follow? Why did the officers of the SAF300 did not follow General Napenas’ order to reinforce their comrades?
Would it show that the 55th and the 84th were the only brave men of the SAF, and the rest, what did they do in the battlefield?
From the video footages, they’re either sloughing it off. They were not even in battle formation, but safe from their vantage point.
My point is what did the SAF300 did at that time. Questions, questions, questions.
The order
vander anievas says
tama,
at sana, sana, kung sumunod sila sa utos ni Napenas, baka bahagyang trahedya ang sinapit ng grupo ng 44.
mababaling ang tutok ng pwersa ng mga rebelde at mahahati ang laks.
hindi sana nabuhos lahat ng bala sa saf44.
and one of the 300 has the gut to say this: “one SAF member was saying that the Philippines-is not worth dying for-if the government could not even protect its troops.
e di ba yun ang kanilang papel. to protect their comrades?
bakit nila pinabayaan?
ano talaga ang dahilan? bakit…
Victinluz says
Ang nagsalita ng ganoon na our country is not worth dying for ay ” pumunta lang siguro sa operation na iyon NOT READY TO DIE for HIS COUNTRY and TO DIE for his 44SAF companion pinned to death on such operation… Sumama sila baka may EXTRA ALLOWANCES na maibigay sa kanila at kagaya ngayon malamang kasama pa sila sa mga nadatong na abuluy..
moonie says
bfd, in normandy the us marines were lucky, there were no cell phones at the time, and thier wives, girlfriends and families were the supportive types staying at home and waiting for news.
most likely, the brotherhood you now speak of was trumped by the ‘wiveshood’. there might have been some sort of mutiny with the 300saf refusing to obey napenas and did not help saved the trapped commandos. I gather the 300saf had received text messages from their wives telling them not to be heroes, not to make them widows, and not make their children fatherless. that sort of thing is enough to make men lose balls. napenas must have been demoralized, his men refused to obey order from him, and obey their wives instead.
I hope that in the spirit of transparency, 300 saf will surrender their cell phones and for once, help with inquiry. give help where they have not helped before, and cooperate.
kalakala says
BFD @ “because of cowardice in the line of duty, unlike the SAF44″… and bravery in line of their wives orders as what was already posted somewhere in ma’am raissa’s blog.
kalakala says
can he (SAF 300 member) submit his notarized affidavit that he really said this “that the Philippines-is not worth dying for-if the government could not even protect its troops.”?
Victinluz says
Wala siguro , imbento nalang iyon …. sila nga ang DUWAG dahil kapawa PULIS hindi nila tinulungan ang mga SAF na namatay
moonie says
‘the philipines is not worth dying for if the government cannot even protect its troops . .’ that’s wrong thing to say.
what they should have said is ‘what can we do to make things better.’
late pres john f kennedy once said, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’
the police should know know they’re part of the government, the law and order branch of the government. it’s their job to protect citizens, go after the wrongdoers and upheld the law. not the other way round.
for police to be criticizing the government they are also criticizing themselves. the police should help strenghten the government instead, and so, strengthen themselves. but if they think the government cannot really protect its troops, no point for them to be police then. they should build bunkers and hide there. safe from everything.
kalakala says
i agree and my sentiments are what @ moonie says: February 6, 2015 at 5:03 am
“most likely, the brotherhood you now speak of was trumped by the ‘wiveshood’. there might have been some sort of mutiny with the 300saf refusing to obey napenas and did not help saved the trapped commandos. I gather the 300saf had received text messages from their wives telling them not to be heroes, not to make them widows, and not make their children fatherless. that sort of thing is enough to make men lose balls. napenas must have been demoralized, his men refused to obey order from him, and obey their wives instead.
I hope that in the spirit of transparency, 300 saf will surrender their cell phones and for once, help with inquiry. give help where they have not helped before, and cooperate.
————————————————————————————————————————–
yes surrender their cellphones, trace and submit all their conversations a week before and at least two days after that tragedy happened. para malaman ang katotohanan kung mayroon mang “wiveshood, familyhood, friendhood and worst robinhood”
baycas says
Caliphman,
:-(
BFD says
@Caliphman, it’s not about what you said, but it’s more of esprit de corps
Every military or police organization has this. Even the survivor of the SAF 84th Company asked this question on the SAF 300.
http://raissarobles.com/2015/02/04/is-the-coup-season-upon-us-again/comment-page-2/#comment-248163
caliphman says
Just several thoughts in response:
1. BFD, you are talking about the “band of brothers” bond which draws unit members so closely they are willing to die for each other. The SAF brigade is an elite force and it is bewildering to me how the 2nd SAF battalion which was solely tasked to serve as reserve and reinforcement for the Fallen 44 did not seem to try hard to accomplish their mission.
2. To be fair, the ABS animatred summary of the full encounter has a section saying 100 of those 300 men making an attempt to enter the marsh but retreated because of thick enemy fire. It seems like Napenas was on the scene but in his Crame interview, he said he heard on their radio the battalion commander ordering the relief attempt. But it seems like they had no plan, no intelligence, no enemy or friendly grid locations, no coordination, no armor, nmortar support, no top leadership,and the most telling of all ….no casualties.
3. I would be very careful about concluding the 2nd SAF battalion men as cowards without waiting for verified info because the whole SAF brigade while poorly lead and managed has the reputation in the PNP for being the best and the bravest among the 100,000 plus men and women in that sevice.
4. I personally think they might have been ordered by Purisima or Aquino to not reinforce the Fallen 44. The AFP were being asked to limit their involement to extricating but not reinforcing nor widening the engagement. The AFP member on the CCCH committee
General Galvez was reported as convening a meeting around 6:30 am and at that meeting the top MILF commanders were trying to get their engaged forces to stop the fighting. Unfortunately, Galvez said they were not listened to and the whole encounter ended later in the day after negotiators at the scene backed by the army succeeded in peacefully reaching the trapped units.
5. If this is why the SAF 300 did not accomplish their mission, then it is understandable that the politics of disclosing and explaining might be very difficult for the administration to do so.
BFD says
@Caliphman
1. Yes, from the video footages, they were just sloughing on the highway.
2. From what was said by their intelligence officer who is a member of the 84th, it was a well planned operation, from start to finish if done stealthily under cover of darkness, however, Marwan was roused and was able to alert his BIFF comrades by way of setting off small bombs.
I think they factored in heavy fighting because they brought in reinforcement, the SAF 300, and later the Army.
3. I have not said they were cowards. I said why didn’t they do everything in their power to rescue or reinforce their SAF44 comrades.
4. What I find interesting though is the fact that on the Army investigation, the Army prodded the SAF300 to show them where the fighting is to augment them because they know where the fighting is, but they refused. This is per report of Army investigation.
The survivor from the 84th was asking that question also. I think he knows the answer already, otherwise, why would he said, “Ano binabantayan nila sa highway?”
5. On that note, I will wait for the reports to come out.
andrew lim says
ARE PERSONAL CELL PHONES ALLOWED DURING SPECIAL OPS?
I ask this question from anyone here with credible info on this.
What caught my attention is the report that in the last moments of the SAF 44, they were calling their relatives to CALL HIGHER AUTHORITIES to save them. That says a lot on the quality of preparation the SAF had for this op, if you ask me.
Pluses (of allowing personal cell phones):
1. They will have alternative communications among themselves, but not necessarily with other units.
2. It will raise morale if they are able to communicate with loved ones during lulls.
Minuses:
1. It could be a security risk. If someone forgets to turn it off or put it in silent mode when silence is required. And off-the-shelf phones malfunction. I have had units that sounded when I put it in silent mode.
(though one can argue that special forces are disciplined and mature enough to handle this)
2. Troops may put sensitive info on it which may be useful to the enemy if captured.
3. What if the troops’ loved ones call them during lulls in fighting, urging them not to fight because they heard their co-soldiers have been routed? Wouldn’t that affect their fighting morale? (a plausible scenario for the 300+ SAF troopers who were found in the highway by the AFP, allegedly refusing to go back)
4. The enemy may obtain capabilities to detect them even faster.
So I do not know. Are they officially allowed to carry personal cell phones during operations?
Rene-Ipil says
PNoy has nothing more to explain to the people about the Mamasapano incident (MI). There was the project to eliminate Marwan who was an affiliate of ISIS and tagged as OBL of Southeast Asia. PNoy was successful but not without casualty as a result of a battle. The SAF commandos came fully prepared, and so was Marwan.
The government had a mole in Marwan’s group, and Marwan apparently had also a mole within the government. They both fought courageously and suffered considerable casualty, though uneven as in most battles. The police lost more number of combatants and some equipment. Marwan’s group lost less number of fighters but lost his life.
The SAF went INSIDE enemy territory of vastly superior number and weapons. The commandos, particularly the 84th, did not discard the idea of total annihilation in the hands of the enemy except to ensure that Marwan is killed first and his DNA taken at all cost.
The SAF mission was accomplished. Marwan is dead and his DNA sample taken. But the DNA sample had to be delivered safely. This was also done.
And the plan to extricate themselves from INSIDE the enemy territory was put into operation.
But the BEST LAID PLAN could go awry. Simply because there is no foolproof plan. And simply because there is no impenetrable barrier. Thus, the Fallen 44.
Of course the intricacies of that SAF extraction plan and operation must be investigated and studied well. It is NOT ONLY to pinpoint tactical blunders and responsibility. More importantly, the lose in lives of our combatants must be minimized in future operations.
It is paramount that the Commander-in-Chief must accomplish the mission entrusted to him by his “boss.” And he did. The death of the 44 SAF commandos was worth it.
IMO PNoy did nothing wrong. He could bypass anybody in the chain of command. That is his prerogative to ensure success of the mission. He could assign the job to a grade five student who can successfully do it. He could also use anybody, including Purisima, Binay, Poe and Mang Pandoy, if necessary. Of course grieving is also the prerogative of the families of the Fallen 44.
NHerrera says
It seems somewhat sweet overall. But I can subscribe to that.
baycas says
Napeñas account given today…
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/425579/news/nation/afp-aware-of-mamasapano-operation-says-ex-saf-chief
baycas says
Military knew SAF’s location…
http://www.rappler.com/nation/82909-sacked-saf-commander-military-knew-location-mamasapano
andrew lim says
@baycas
I think Napenas is backtracking/hair splitting. He has already owned up to it and he decided not to coordinate.
How do you expect the AFP to respond well if you inform them on the day itself and be sketchy in giving info like coordinates? Why were the SAF using their personal cell phones to call their families TO CALL HIGHER AUTHORITIES THEMSELVES to save them? What does that indicate about the SAF’s overall preparation for this op?
And he has not answered why 300+ of his men were found by the AFP on the highway 3kms away from the battle site, and not willing to go back anymore for their comrades.
baycas says
The OIC is now talking.
From AFP to SAF to PNP OIC…
Impatient baycas. I apologize. I’ll wait for more details from now on.
Tagal na kasing sketchy eh!
—–
I was also mistaken…the January 25 operation was named “EXODUS.” Historical na ang “Wolverine.”
—–
While Hovland blamed the unavailability of cellular signal…here we are witnessing that vital pieces of information were sent and received (hopefully) via SMS (texting).
Service providers please help! Especially the communication logs…
baycas says
Comment on “communication failure” here:
http://raissarobles.com/2015/01/31/journos-website-hacked-after-he-posted-questions-on-police-commandos-killings/comment-page-1/#comment-246172
baycas says
Silent muna…gaya rito…
http://mobile.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/03/15/watch-saf-commandos-stay-silent-after-pnoy-pep-talk/
For now…
Catch u later…
baycas says
Pahabol…
Please don’t fail to watch the video here:
http://raissarobles.com/2015/01/31/journos-website-hacked-after-he-posted-questions-on-police-commandos-killings/comment-page-1/#comment-247138
baycas says
@andrew, here…
https://anc.yahoo.com/video/afp-chief-pnoy-told-mamasapano-022013191.html
baycas says
@Alan, here…
https://anc.yahoo.com/video/relieved-saf-director-defends-himself-071638204.html
@andrew, may explanation si Napeñas sa video.
caliphman says
Baycas, thanks for these links. See my reaction above to BFD’s question on the weakkneed 300
baycas says
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/104320/poe-summons-fallen-44-sms-messages-to-build-battle-of-mamasapano-timeline
Dapat sa lahat ng Mamasapano ‘players’ para kumpleto ang timeline. Isama pati kay Hovland.
Johnny Lin says
Aha, Napenas admitted he got his order from Purisima and they decided not to inform Espina and Roxas
“WHAT HAPPENED TO THE “FICTION ” TAGGED ON MY POST” in previous blog
Hooray, Confirmed by Napenas, it’s not FICTION!
He he he!
leona says
On a far and wider horizon looming ahead of this country’s sovereignty, these portions of the Phil. news Editorial say –
1. ‘Aquino has to see the Bangsamoro for what it truly is and put a stop to it now, before it is too late. Otherwise, sometime in the distant future, Filipinos might know him as “that clueless and stupid president who gave away Mindanao.” That is an awful legacy to have, especially since his father was the great patriot Ninoy Aquino Jr. ‘
Clueless? The draft of the Bangsamoro basic law appears that. clueless. What do we see truly in it? Clueless. Can Congress’ members really see this ‘clueless’ situation? Many of us here are trying our best to find the good sides of this draft provisions. With candor, we are also heaving heavily the fact of losing Mindanao. Losing Mindanao is losing the Philippines.
2. ‘So now you have a situation where a legitimate government authority like the PNP-SAF whose charter encompasses the entire Philippines cannot freely go into certain areas of the country without the express knowledge and permission of local entities like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who are themselves well-armed and ready to stop even a legitimate government authority like the national police.’
Should the National Government, even without this draft unapproved yet or rejected in the end, be obligated to ask permission to go into certain areas of the MILF, Biff, Abu Sayaf etc., and get their express consent before conducting operations of the government? It’s like tying up the hand, right or left, of the government just to grant approving the Bangsamoro basic law.
Is this right? Acceptable? There is no clue what should be most appropriate except that the National government cannot and should not accede to this one-hand bargaining while the rebels are hands-free!
3. ‘In the first place if one seriously thinks about it, there really is no need for a separate Bangsmoro entity. All Muslim demands can already be met by the country’s current political framework. There is no need to create something new and different just for Maguindanao. Besides, a nation should have one set of rules that apply to everyone. Is the MILF saying that Muslims are so different they simply cannot comply with Philippine rules and thus need to create their own?’
Does the National Government really need to grant the rebels a separate entity? Without making such grants, can not the Muslims’ plights be met by our political framework? By our national leaders?
In a sense, having TOO MANY RULES, makes the situation MESSY. Like what recently happened to our SAF operation in Mamapasano to catch two terrorists.
I can believe that there is no need to make such grant to the rebels for a separate entity.
We can expect it won’t get any better or worst not granting them for a separate entity. The National Government can and must resolve the rebels PLIGHTS like what Filipinos in other parts, in Luzon and Visayas, are getting the remedies for such plights. Yet, we, in Luzon and the Visayas are not asking for a separate entities. Why should the Muslims in Mindanao? Some sense indeed.
4. The ‘January 25 proves that the MILF: (a) is still on a war footing despite its peace agreement; (b) has not laid down its arms, nor does it ever intend to do so; (c) does not see the national government as a partner but instead as the enemy; (d) will do as it pleases inside its “own” territory; and (e) wants all entities—including the national government—to seek its permission first before entering or operating it its area.’
Rebels still on war footing. Does not lay down their weapons, they see no partner but only an enemy, governing their own territory, and PERMISSION from them should be made before anything else.
The National Government appears to be acceding to seek first permission. Or not seeking it but instead working in the dark with the rebels. Is this an appropriate way of dealing in a peace agreement? Candidness is absent. If there is no trust [as many of us here have said it] why then go into appearances of trust in order to distrust each other? Pointless! It won’t work.
In short, do we need to give a separate entity to the rebels? A Bangsamoro Basic law? Frankly, if I am asked, I say – no. With sincerity and hard work, and cooperation with every Muslim and non-Muslim, work out to eliminate the sorry plights of the Muslim land and their people but not granting a separate entity. We don’t gain Mindanao by doing this but lose the Philippines instead.
It can be done – work out to eliminate the sorry plights of the Muslim people with sincerity and hard work. No corruptions in doing this. No personal stakes be allowed in doing this. Eliminate the corrupts. Identify the corrupts. Put the corrupts aside. Deal harshly with the corrupts.
Peace can be attained.
Ancient Mariner says
My sentiments exactly. Thank you for expressing them so well.
No nation should allow itself to be intimidated by less than 15,000 people.
If the president took your stand I doubt that he would be in the hole he is in now.
leona says
I’d like Ancient [email protected] to put this here, if you allow me,
PNoy, in a short talk with the SAF commandos [at Camp Bagong Diwa] trying to connect, after speaking uttered the following:
‘Before ending his message, Aquino asked the commandos if they have something to tell him. Baka may gusto kayong sabihin sa akin ngayon, nandito ako para handang makining,” Aquino told the cops.”
If I am one of the SAF and said: “Mr. President, with due respect, we’re the ones to ask you so many question. Isa – ‘You keep so quiet for THREE DAYS on this! Why?’ [I could be marked or black-listed, and be out of job in months ahead!]
‘But Aquino did not get a response from the policemen, some of whom were just looking at the ground during his speech.’ [Why? Like my answer ABOVE given. And I might be sent back to Tukanalipao Bridge WITHOUT SUPPORT!]
And the President again, trying to insist to connect – said:
“Sigurado kayo? Baka nagkakahiyaan tayo dito. Hindi dapat tayo magkahiyaan. Hindi tayo magkakaunawaan kung magkikimkim tayo,” Aquino said.”
In English, ‘Are you sure? Maybe you are just ASHAMED with us here. We do not need to be ashamed. We cannot understand each other if we KEEP QUIET.’
Yes, keeping quiet, we’ll not understand each other. But Mr. President, as I wanted to ask – You Were QUIET For Three Days On This Matter! Why Mr. President? You cut your tongue?
President said – “Kung gusto niyo mas madali isulat, isulat niyo. Kung gusto niyong ipadaan sa mga opisyal niyo, idaan niyo sa opisyal niyo,” he added.”
Isulat? [Write our questions?] Madali – pa? [Write it fast!] And give our SULAT to my officers? Are you nuts Mr. President? I will be OUT OF JOB Mr. President!
President about to end his connect with the SAF commandos – said,
“”Sigurado kayo, wala kayong gustong pag-usapan ngayong gabi?” Aquino asked again before concluding his speech.”
‘Are you SURE, not one of you wants to TALK tonight?’ Mr. President, like you are ASKING US – ‘Talk ‘n Text’! Our dead comrades did – talk ‘n text before they died, texting and talking to their loved ones. Because they knew it was HOPELESS to live.
PNoy had no idea how to connect. He was trying to make a rapport. He further RUPTURED the connection. Commander-In-Chief nga. What’s happening to him?
He appears misplaced now. For how long? That speech at Camp Bagong Diwas was surely out of place to connect. I’ll lose MY BOOTS, my UNIFORM and MY JOB by answering to ASK QUESTIONS on the President!
Hindot!
leona says
Link of that short speech referred to
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/04/1420099/watch-saf-troopers-cold-shoulder-treatment-aquino
Ancient Mariner says
Please Leona find a way to give the President a transfusion of charisma. With charisma comes the natural ability to communicate at a personal level.
Sadly in the charisma stakes he is on par with Joker Arroyo.
leona says
You want me to ‘charm’ you? he he he – show ‘attractiveness; power of arousing love or admiration.
The President has charm and charisma, a reason he became the president. Is the President losing or has lost his power to inspire devotion [CHARISMA] and enthusiasm since the Sunday event in Mamapansano, Maguindanao?
A transfusion? Has the President bled out his charisma he needs a transfusion like Type C blood? It appears that he blood-out. Became Anemic, needing that charisma blood type?
Is the President losing touch with the people? The needed charm? To inspire the people and the soldiers and the policemen? What has he done to lose this charisma? His charm?
I am not knowledgeable to get back for him his charm or charisma. The only probable thing I can say is the President has to be simply himself. No artificiality seen in him when he is before the country and the people.
Be simply candid. Honest to the core of the recent events. People can know when he is not. His body English, his mannerism and his words spoken before the people. One cannot fool the people on this. If a change is apparent, people will notice it without delay. It is there.
National events precisely will expose him when there is no charisma. No charm. The pressure is too strong when things are not right. Something hidden to the people. One cannot survive to fight when things are not spoken with some truths. The lie is too obvious and seen.
To lose charisma and charm because there is untruth, consciously or unconsciously, is difficult to recover until the truth is made, accepted and delivered to others. The longer it is not done, the chances of recovering in due time is lost. Losing it totally, there is a very little chance of getting it back.
It has been 11 days since 25th of last January 2015. Eleven days. It may not be late yet. The people are waiting. Being the President, he knows it has to be done. He has to forget all other make-beliefs that is stopping him from doing the right thing. Trust comes charisma. Charm follows.
Let us hope the President will heed to do this simply without much ado. it is not really difficult when done. The seeming difficulty is only in the mind because of distractions not to do otherwise. Release it from one’s breast. Inhale and exhale it. One’s mind gets clearer to make a right judgment.
Nobody is perfect in this life. So, let us be imperfect without adding more imperfections but only the simple natural imperfection that is in – in each of us.
My opinion on charisma with charm to the President.
Ancient Mariner says
You are right about the body language. People do watch it and finalise opinions based on it. I enjoy observing body language and facial expressions. Jinggoy Estrada is one whose body language and facial expressions tell a story.
As long as Pres Aquino does not get caught lying or his body language says that he is, he will pull through. Don’t they say, “You can’t keep a good man down.”
vander anievas says
sa construction organigram:
may proj mgr.
may proj engr.
may foreman: steel, civil, elect’l, mech’l, sanitary, etc.
may leadmen: steel, civil, elect’l, mech’l, sanitary, etc.
may skilled
at may laborers/helpers.
siguro ganoon din sa military.
pag nag-usap ang proj mgr at worker, madalas hindi magkaintindihan.
kaya ang proj engr ang kanyang kinakausap.
NHerrera says
(first) may proj mgr. = Manager in chief (or equivalent)?
Nevertheless, I understand:”pag nag-usap ang proj mgr at worker, madalas hindi magkaintindihan.
kaya ang proj engr ang kanyang kinakausap.”
And I agree that is usually the case.
Insideout says
Lethal Perfidy – a transgression too far.
Part 1: Setting the scene and identifying the massacre players
As the fog of war slowly recedes, the whispers of reality swirl around and reveal the brushstrokes of Administrative vanity, stupidity and amateurism, command adventurism and greed, colored with betrayal, jealousy and treachery, all to be imposed on brave men whose heroic actions and unquestioned loyalty to God and Country lay bare their unnecessary sacrifice.
44 SAF members, not for 1 terrorist, but for reasons even a high school student would reject as foolish, reckless and brainless.
The following scenario and dialogue comprises information compiled from previous and currently published materials viz print, radio, internet sources (incl. Wiki Leaks, You Tube, blogs) and television. This compilation necessarily contains repeating some allegations, drawing a few conclusions and conjectures but……………………………….
You be the judge!
To set the scene, first must be established the background without semantics or being politically correct.
The proximate cause of this horrific military based (forget the justified “police action”) debacle, was to eliminate with proof (not capture) these foreign enemies in the ‘global war on terror,’ who were being given safe haven in the Philippines since 2003. This was on the basis that “dead men don’t talk” and past protectors, transactions, horse-trading and intelligence that could not only embarrass the Administration but possibly topple it, were buried but victory over terrorists proclaimed.
The progressive locations of Manwar have been known by the US (CIA and State Dept) and both the Arroyo and Aquino administrations throughout the last 11 years. When Manwar was the guest of the Abu Sayyaf pin pointing was quite difficult and fewer chances of actionable intelligence arose. That all changed when Manwar was relocated to the more stable safe environment of the protection of the MILF leadership. Such was the brazen belief by the MILF that the succeeding presidents would not act that Manwar was hidden in full view and led an almost domestically normal Muslim existence.
The reason Arroyo never cleared any capture or termination is somewhat clouded but involves the master financial magician Mike, the Malaysian Government /negotiations and the MILF. Perhaps a private pact with personal benefits to all involved .
Aquino’s has been a policy of appeasement so as not to cause even a flutter of aggravation on the so called Peace Process. What a pity he sees himself as Neville Chamberlin and not Winston Churchill. He only agreed to act when he was convinced by trusting once more his proven untrustworthy friends and bending to outside proffered whispers of grandeur that vanity took a hold. Did his sisters confer their blessing and approval for the Samar faction folly?
The reason the action had to be now was the push by the US White House dreamers of Obama basking in glory that he desperately needed in his nonexistent terrorist war strategy. The timing was based on the imminent APEC conference. PNoy seduced by the promise of receiving accolades in front of a worldwide audience by his idol Obama was an easy sell. After all the most important part of his legacy was within grasp – eliminate two of Asia’s most recognized terrorists and “solve“ the Muslim separatist problem by creating a” lasting peace.”
The bizarre reasoning by Purisima and his buddies and PMA mistahs was that the successful mission would somehow absolve him of past misdeeds and allow him to be be reinstated. But of course for several years the reward money was an unrelenting magnet. It is not clear how he thought the Ombudsman’s case would disappear along with his already publicly displayed assets.
Ochoa, well the somewhat Machiavellian character who has quietly undermined and made Mar Roxas’s position untenable and Mars future presidential aspiration unlikely with the unequivocal support of ”the sisters” may have seen this as coup de grace!. What better way than to leave the DILG Sec and the Police OIC floundering by being upstaged, totally ignorant of what’s going on and demonstrating what an ineffective leader Mar is. Binay here we come!
The decision to keep the proper and legal chain of command clueless has nothing to do with security. Legacy, redemption, politics fueled by future promises of recognition and rewards allowed the CIA to manipulate these narcissistic personalities.
The local gentle push was handled on three coordinated levels; US Ambassador direct to PNoy, with the hard push by the CIA Station Chief to Ochoa and Purisima jointly, (were there any hidden incentives offered at this level?) and by CIA Mindanao operatives and contractors to SAF field commanders.
Purisima then worked on Aquino with Ochoa as the insurgency chief (should be under DILG Sec)providing the affirmative nod and justification why it would not affect the cease fire with the MILF.
Marwan was almost living in open sight and marrying three Moro women. Many Muslims in the various areas he lived in and traversed were aware of his presence and most assuredly their leaders of all four major Muslim factions were not only aware but providing support and tacitly using his bomb making talents whilst all the time negotiating the unconstitutional Bongsomoro Basic Law and pretending to sustain a peace process. This carried on for the eight years this terrorist lived firstly with the Abu Sayyaf who then passed him onto the MILF/BIFF.
The MILF, BIFF, Abu Sayyaf and the MNLF being the other main faction although somewhat marginalized in its recognition and abilities have a common goal –a caliphate state. Ridos and other supposed divisions amongst all levels of Muslim clans and tribes are smoke screens as they strive to obtain their common goal. Yes they perform different functions is to conquer Mindanao, Sulu, Baslian, Tawi – tawi and also Palawan and all the islands in between complete with the air and sea territorial rights, impose sharia law and plunder the natural and manmade assets.
And oh expelling Christians and other infidels by any means – any means, is the ultimate goal. Peace with infidels is the dream, but only by the infidels. The BFF negotiations are a farce and are only seen by the Muslim power brokers as the start of the big squeeze to firstly suck hundreds of billions of pesos
drill down says
if true, this explains why drones were not sent out instead.
BFD says
@Insideout, can you give a source for your information or is this just a figment of your observation?
How can you tell that the BBL is unconstitutional when the Supreme Court hasn’t ruled on it yet?
This would show your hatred and bias against any form for peace process….
wecandoit says
mga bayani
marwan sinugpo nila
ano alay mo
mga bayani
sa kanila i-alay
alisin anay
vander anievas says
like..:)
NHerrera says
:-)
NHerrera says
TIME TO MENTION THE UNMENTIONABLE
Binay Presidency is getting more likely:
1. Shelf-life of SAF 44 promises to be to be longer with politics fuelling it.
2. Focus is on accountability of Pnoy and Purisima.
3. Spotlight on Pimentel’s BRS is diminished.
4. The push by Pnoy on BBL is a negative.
5. Whereas before corruption has never tainted Pnoy, his perception of accountability is loud on this incident.
6. Binay’s un-abated machinations will gain effectiveness.
7. The likes of Arguelles, Tatad smell blood and getting noisier. Add FVR to the fray.
WHAT ARE THE COUNTER ARGUMENTS? (Johnny Lin below mentioned saving measures.)
Joe America says
There are no counter arguments. You are correct. Binay is organized and the level of hostility aimed at President Aquino in social media hints at a purposeful campaign to undermine and make him the issue, rather than Binay. Aquino backers or even those wanting stable government and “no to Binay” in 2016 have no organization and no platform to stand on. The good critics add their voices to the screaming voices of crooks, political opponents, extremist leftists and other malcontents (priests), and the Philippines is on a straight path to Binay. The nation is on an emotional tear not unlike my first wife who chased me around the house with a pair of scissors until I locked my self in the bathroom, and then she set fire to the carpet in the den.
That’s exactly what it is like here. Out of control.
And people who stand up to back Aquino and stability are shouted down as apologists. Intimidating others into meek submission. The people who voted for Aquino, only 42% of the electorate, are hushed.
There is no way to re-establish stability and sense.
I’m personally switching to Binay because he is going to win, and I’ll look good then.
Parekoy says
That is defeatest attitude!
Republicans used that fear factor before but Americans woke-up when they found out that their govt was lying to them: Osama Bin Laden was responsible for 911 and did not collaborate with Saddam Hussein!
Our people, not yours, are now demanding trnsparency, accountability and justice and that is bad news not only to Binay but corrupt politicians! Naturally opponemts of Aquino are ganging up on him but our people, not yours, are not supporting these crooks to oust Aquino. Our people, not yours, are making Aquino better if he owns up to any poor decisions he made which resulted to the sacrifice of our, not yours, heroes!
You can try steering the conversation by spreading fear of Binay’s takeover to justify your position of cover-up, but we are aware of the intricacies of our situation and nobody here is a sacred cow.
You can back Aquino for excuse of stability, but it is his undoing and we are suppose to restore stability for him? Where is your logic? Why don’t you support our people’s, not yours, call for transparency, accountability, and justice? You conveniently set this aside when we are asking Aquino but you supported the call when we were asking Binay?
You yourself by being inconsistent loss a lot of credibility because you are also selective! You are Aquino’s apologist and propagandist!
As promised, I will keep you real!
Ancient Mariner says
I think (hope) that JoeAm was joking.
Parekoy says
He was satirical being for Binay. He is trying to influence us to support not to dig in the accountability of Aquino in SAF 44 because of his fear that Binay will takeover or Binay could be elected the next President.
He is for Aquino at all costand will sacrifice transparency, accountability, and justice for the sake of shielding Aquino. That is a propagandist job!
We, here in CPM, i presume love our nation more than any other personalities. Joeam can preach that thinking in his blog without much raising opposition, but here I can’t allow to taint Raissa’s integrity when propaganda is the name of the game. we are in search of truth here as well as justice. CPM is a courageous bunch, we are not kids, we can handle the truth! We don’t proclaim in this website honor, we do it!
We are not hypocrites here!
Joe America says
@Ancient Mariner, part truth, part joke. I do think Binay has taken over the dialogue and I frankly don’t see that those of us who prefer a stable Philippines, even if it includes a President who makes mistakes now and then, have have any platform on which to stand. When we try to caution that the current path is untenable, and has the bad end that NHerrera mentions, and maybe we should understand the role we play, we are met with emotionalists like Parekoy who have their ego stuck where their brain ought to reside, people who can’t figure out a path to solution because they are a part of the disease.
The joke is that I will switch to Binay. I won’t, of course. The truth is, my bookie Sal now pegs him an 83.5% likelihood of being the next president of the Philippines. A crook and a liar, the next president of the Philippines.
So let’s curse JoeAm for saying so, eh? Let’s find the false enemies to rail at because we can’t figure out how to deal with the real one. So Parekoy and his famous 7 inches is impotent, just like too many of the other good people of the Philippines. He’s busy whacking at JoeAm because he has exactly no idea how to preserve a stable, constructive, clean, productive path for the Philippines. He is also the self-declared promoter of Parekoy morality on Raissa’s web site, speaking for all the rest of the CPMers.
Ahahahahaha. I don’t think so.
Ancient Mariner says
Wow, bang goes the ceasefire.
I think Binay has a chance of winning but not because of 44 dead policemen but because too many people from tricycle drivers to town mayors like the current status quo.
Joe America says
No, I’m done with it. Let him rant.
I do think President Aquino has, by his poor speech followed by intransigence about accountability, yanked the platform for support away. That has become a howling point for Binay such that he even has the audacity to tell people that President Aquino ought not appoint members to a Truth Commission. And there is absolutely no pushback from anywhere. President Aquino needs to get command of the stage back. Maybe kicking Binay off the Cabinet for his insubordination could have done it, but that moment passed.
I don’t know how he gets it back. But until he does, Binay is in the driver’s seat because – even though he is a crook and a liar – in a culture of impunity, he is qualified to be President.
Joe America says
@old sea guy, and I am a CPMer, and proud of it.
NHerrera says
Likewise. That is, in the same ironic tone.
Joe America says
;)
vander anievas says
as i said. my friend no.
not yet.
things happen in one hour-time.
this is the b anay’s last salvo..
ang malalaglag ay iyong walang lehitimong pagmamahal sa inang bayan.
NHerrera says
My main post comes from my left brain (an old brain, I will have to accept) trying to weigh in. As far as my desire is concerned, I dearly hope the probability my post indicates is not true. I have the same wish as you have.
wecandoit says
from my left brain:
forty four heroes
dont let them down honor them
banish the anay
stop na the talk
work to get anay banished
honor our heroes
NHerrera says
:-)
NHerrera says
TIME TO MENTION THE UNMENTIONABLE
Binay Presidency is getting more likely:
1. Shelf-life of SAF 44 promises to be to be longer with politics fueling it.
2. Focus is on accountability of Pnoy and Purisima.
3. Spotlight on Pimentel’s BRS is diminished.
4. The push by Pnoy on BBL is a negative.
5. Whereas before corruption has never tainted Pnoy, the perception of accountability is loud on this incident.
6. Binay’s un-abated machinations will gain effectiveness.
7. The likes of Arguelles, Tatad smell blood and getting noiser. Add FVR to the fray.
WHAT ARE THE COUNTER ARGUMENTS? (Johnny Lin below mentioned saving measures.)
duquemarino says
Politics!!! Politics!!!!! Politics!!!!
We seek peace! We cry for good governance!!!! We advocate transparency and accountability!!!!
But we need ethical leaders, we need patriotic nationalistic citizenry!!!! Peace may be elusive but with these ingrained in every heart and mind of the Filipinos peace can be attained.
NHerrera says
Subscribe.
vander anievas says
@nherrera,
no my friend.
not yet.
in an hour, things happen.
NHerrera says
I hope so.
Johnny Lin says
How could Aquino extricate himself from Fallen 44 mess?
“Come Clean and Dirty”
Appoint from the ranks a new highly qualified, respected, incorruptible young PNP chief while admitting that he allowed Purisima to direct Operation Wolverine. Transparent and concise speech is enough.
Truth Commission and other investigations will continue, but will fade in due time like every other big govt news, Maguindanao journalists massacre, Corona and other prominent tax evasion cases, Napoles PDAF scam
Pickers1368 says
I don’t see the point of having this Truth Commission. Aquino should just accept responsibility then move on because he is in fact responsible for both the success or failure of the ops. It was a legitimate law enforcement operation fully sanctioned by the President having the authority to put these men in the harm’s way. While the loss of our 44 fine men is painful it was mission accomplished. They delivered and these SAF men both who are no longer with us as well as the wounded are heroes. They could not have mobilized 400 highly trained and specialized men if it was a walk in the park. It was precisely because of the size of the contingent that makes the argument of safety in numbers. If reports were true, it was about double the size of the known MILF/BIFF fighters in the area.
moonie says
bandila news on 3 feb said there were around 1000 rebels. private armies of the ampatuans joined in the foray.
Johnny Lin says
Sakit ng Pilipino: Emotion, oversensitivity, sentimentality Ningas kugon and gaya gaya fanned by over sensationalism of the media bankrolled the hatred on Aquino.
Undoubtedly, Aquino gave the blanket consent when he was informed in the form of ” go ahead, do what you think is best strategy to eliminate the terrorists, be careful not to interfere with peace process”
Faulty judgments:
1. Over confidence and over trusting the other side is the fault of their judgment. they should have known better because of history of untrustworthy enemies. Regrets, too late.
2. fault of Aquino is not recognizing that Espino is officer in charge. He could have summoned both Espina and Purisima and still designate Purisima to be contact person in command of Napenas with info constantly relayed to him and Espina. Chain of command is unbroken then. Roxas is officially out of the loop since he is already in command.
3. He did not come transparent and admit participation of Purisima on first interview subduing the Borouhaha of his non appearance in Villamor. His tardiness on necrological service is fault of his handlers. His non wang- wang presidential mentality delayed his travel. They should not have started ceremony without him with other reasons for the delay.
4. Reward money equation is always considered a factor why there is animosity between PNP and AFP on war against international terrorists and kidnappers of foreigners in the Philippines.
in war, every decision is judgmental on the precise time it is needed. As president, he could not be faulted on giving the go signal to kill terrorists. It’s the protocol that Aquino miscalculated. Death of 44 men is unfortunate but they should not have over trusted the enemies. On the other hand all dead soldiers knew that their lives are at higher stake every time they are sent to the fields. Putting blame afterwards by others is typical Monday quarterbacking due to aforementioned “sickness of Filipino minds”
Every Ningas kugon of the Filipinos fades fast, this incident is no different. Aquino has to act faster in coming clean and dirty to stop the rolling lava down the plain.
Johnny Lin says
Truth commission is to please grandstanding politicians
Johnny Lin says
and critics!
vander anievas says
the TC is not for the truth.
it is in aid of campaigning.
may16 is just in the corner.
note who is the bastonero of its component?
Martial Bonifacio says
Chinese ships ram PH fishing boats
Martial Bonifacio says
While we are busy infighting among ourselves, China is using force to turn away our fishing vessels within our own EEZ.
Calling the attention of Coastguard and government please DO YOUR JOB! There is no point in having new ships and vessels if it is tied in the dry dock and not patrolling our territorial waters, protecting Filipino fishermen.
kalakala says
duquemarino says:
February 3, 2015 at 7:20 am
“Who wouldn’t break heart when listening to a news report that one of the dead men was holding his mobile phone and on the screen was a picture of his child. Apparently looking and saying his last goodbye.”
just asking: why they were allowed to bring cellphone during combat or during this kind of critical mission? i read the statement of sen. recto ang iyong iba tumatawag pa daw sa kanilang pamilya. iyong isa tumawag pa daw sa kanyang nanay at sabay daw silang nag pray ng rosary. mayroon pa daw na nang hingi ng pasaload.
fed-up says
@kalakala. May nabasa akong item na naubusan raw sila ng bala, saka lang sila nag-pray ng rosary noong wala na silang bala. Ang objective ng mission nila siguro ay damputin lang ang isang tao at hindi makikipaglaban. Sa isang banda, dahil pumasok sila sa isang mapanganib na lugar, dapat naghanda sila, gumawa sila ng “contingencies.” Mabuti pa siguro, bago sila lumakad ay sumangguni muna sila kay VP Binay; ay ay presidente ng Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) at alam na natin na ang BSP ay “Laging Handa.”
moonie says
kalakala, dead man should have been texting his comrades and asking for back up, not looking at picture of his kid, doing so would only make him target waiting to be shot. dead man was supposed lie low on the ground, maybe dig foxhole, dont have to be so deep, just enough to shield self. others could do the same and dug themselves foxholes. cornfields have cultivated ground, soft and easy for digging. they could have used their guns and equpiments to dig the ground. fit and healthy, their bodies high on adrenaline, digging foxhole would have been a breeze like a walk in the park, their bodies energized.
moonie says
maybe they brought cell phones on the sly. they probably left their other cell phones in the barrack, but brought spares on instruction of the misis who wanted to be updated soonest.
kalakala says
“brought spares on instruction of the misis who wanted to be updated soonest.” or according to a commenter upon the strong instruction of the misis who do not want to be widowed and having fatherless children.
[email protected] oo nga nakalimutan nilang gumawa ng foxhole
leona says
The gov’t commandos forgot digging foxholes? No. They did not. They just didn’t bring spades for digging.
But they brought CELL PHONES. I hope no iPads were brought too.
The Chinese PLA army and navy are watching AFP and PNP forces in operations. Better read that Chinese book by Tsio Pao on War Strategies – How To Win Wars.
Alan says
I think the terrain was marshland, also it’s very likely the SAF had no idea where they were – in fact they were in a killzone, and the MILF used indirect weapons (mortars)
moonie says
still, they could have hidden behind the dead bodies of the fallen and used them as shield or pretend foxhole. presuming they did not die all in one go. I supposed they were too busy texting to be thinking of ways to stay alive longer.
Alan says
I’m sure they did everything they could to the best of their abilities. My best guess is they were disoriented because they didn’t familiarize themselves with the terrain. The blocking force was pinned down and then wiped out
Johnny Lin says
Moonie
Foxhole?, binenta yung pala pambili ng load.
Priorities! Hindi malayo sa katotohanan
leona says
Why venta? It could have been ‘Pala-Pasa load!’ Napenas. . . grrrr! PuuurrisMama . . . grrrr!
he he he
vander anievas says
on the lighter end, allow me to say,
nowadays, texting and fbying are priorities over eating or sleeping, to say the least.
some students’ priority is dota/garena not the math assignment.
one of my laborers has a cellphone more expensive than mine ten fold.
i just hope an inventor creates a cellphone and an uzi in one.
that may solve some of the problems.
caliphman says
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/104195/video–into-the-breach-norwegian-peacekeeper-recalls-how-imt-helped-end-mamasapano-battle
Is it not pretty strange that the head of the group that negotiated the ceasefire which finally saved the remaining trapped commandos claims there is no cell phone coverage in the area? This is his reason why it took so long for the fighting to end. Weird and so unfortunate given how the trapped commandoes were texting using theirs.
baycas says
With about 8-9 planned and/or ongoing investigations they should be able to create an exact timeline/reconstruction of events participated in by all the “players.”
For example:
“Mike 1, bingo” was texted at around 6-7am. Call for help was started around the same time. Hovland received word of the clash at about the same time too. And so on, and so forth.
It is vital to get logs of communications where available. Time stamps and possible locations may be obtained.
Bottomline here is that a scientific/forensic type of investigation must take place.
Parekoy says
That is being cleaned right now, unfortunately…
duquemarino says
@kalakala, here’s the reason why they are allowed to bring cellphones.
In an article by Dulce Sanchez that appeared in the Philippine Star, Februaries 4, 2015 “No Fear: The SAF Commando way of life,” a SAF commando named “Ricky” said SAF police officers receive their mission orders through verbal commands or through texts messages, with coide words used. These code words are unique to each team or battalion.
Direction on paper leave these orders vulnerable to being intercepted by criminals or terrorists, he said.
Parekoy says
According to an insider:
Note that in the past my ‘insider’ was right on the money, but I will take his ‘tsismis’ with a grain of salt! It does not mean that he was there with the President at the time of operation that he is privy with the President’s communications?
But I think sharing this will give us another perspective of what happened during those times that the SAF were in the battle.
leona says
The people can make this tsimis story adaptable as the most acceptable, credible, sensible and acceptable of what happened. On the other side, THERE IS NO STORY AT ALL!
Let PNoy, Ochoa, PurrisMama, Napenas and the Americans come out something better to this tsimis. Can they make a clean shot on their version? Since they are all quiet and appears as to what the tsismis is telling, they are hard put!
Very good tsismis for 3 meals: breakfast, lunch and supper for the next couple of weeks and months. This is the people simple ‘bayan’ [food everyday for days, weeks, months and years anyway.]
Thanks [email protected] and the good tsismoso/tsismosa.
Parekoy says
Inilabas na ang DAP para boost yun kay PNoy. Hoping na maiba ang topic.
The ‘tsismis’ seems very plausible and answers a lot, but details are still missing. Details are being covered-up na as we speak, unfortunately…
uprightbike says
” It does not mean that he was there with the President…” But the way he narrated the accounts parang katabi niya lagi si Presidente. How did he get those accounts? Baka nabasa niya lang sa MST, Tribune o nadinig sa sa mga broadcasters na sobra galing sa kuwento. Or tambay sya sa Plaza Miranda kaya daming alam na tsismis.
Parekoy says
He is the same guy who told me that DAP decision will be a compromise from the very start. Took some number of brews to loosen up his lips…
chit Navarro says
Well, maybe the number of brews loosen not just his lips but more so with his memory.
It is a fact of life na pag Sa inuman galing Ang istorya, mayroon at mayron dagdag.
yvonne says
My source at the SC says the decision on DAP, and the consensus on that decision, was arrived at just very recently – not sometime ago.
Of course anybody can say he/she has a source and it would be a matter of vetting the source. A good way of doing that is to disclose a non-public or confidential information that is verifiable by the public.
I can disclose a few non-public information about the SC but that would invite controversy, so I’ll disclose one that is relatively tame:
When Justice De Castro had her office renovated, which cost us taxpayers millions, she had a big marble artificial waterfall installed in her office. She justified the huge expense for the waterfall as work-related by saying that the soothing sound of the falling water makes her concentrate better on studying the cases before the SC.
There you go, a non-public information that you read first here in Raissa’s blog. And that can be verified by visiting Justice De Castro’s office, and asking her why she had it installed.
moonie says
good one, von. he, he, it would have been cheaper had justice de castro listened to dripping faucet, or toilet flushing. burning essential oils work just as well. patchouli is calming, so is soft music and taped sounds of gentle sea waves lashing the shore.
yvonne 44 says
@moonie
Von? See, just imagining the soothing sound of the waterfall makes one feeling relax already. ;-)
I hope it didn’t make Justice De Castro fall asleep on the job. LOL.
Johnny Lin says
@Yvonne
Aha, finally revealed. You visited the office when you toured SC during Corona trial
He he he !
yvonne 44 says
@ Johnny Lin
I’m amazed at the sharpness of your memory.
Is my slip showing?
:-)
Johnny Lin says
You posted twice,before you were going on vacation for few weeks in PHL and planned to visit SC and posted after coming back to CA the waterfall in Justice De Castro office. Do you remember? Check your old posts if accurate. Time frame would be March- June 2012.
That’s why many CPM commenters turn out to be hypocrites because they could not remember every opinions they posted ending up posting new ideas contradicting their old posts. At least JoeAm admits his shortcoming. Other guilty parties kept silent or stayed away.
Improve your memory by practicing Photographic memory with speed reading. You have potential because you still stay on course with your opinions and most important, persistently inquisitive.
He he he
yvonne says
@Johnny Lin
Yes, you were right, I posted around that time that I was going on vacation to the PH and was planning to visit the SC to see the waterfall but I did not mention anything more.
I posted that deliberately to send a subtle message to any SC justices or employees who might be reading Raissa’s blog then that I know their territory. The public does not know about the waterfall, so I would not have known about it from the press or the internet but from an inside source. My source at the SC predates the Corona trial, very high level, and crossed path with Corona many times.
There are many things I posted here with insider information from the Sandiganbayan and the AFP, among others, etc.. But unlike others, who are short of name-dropping, I don’t brag about my sources because I’m not pursuing any hidden political agenda. I’m just an ordinary parent, with an 8 to 5 job in the private sector, raising a family in CA, and joining the conversation here when my time permits it.
Parekoy says
May bawas ata kasi di madetalye. Clam-up din agad.
leona says
Lose Lips vs Deep Throat!
. . . Revealing dirty chips and sour throats
he he he
Parekoy says
Loosen the throat para deeper?
Ngongo kaya garbled na…
:)
caliphman says
Your insider might very well end up proving some of us here right in thinking Aquino had a direct hand in the operation with Purisima and Ochoa advising him..rather poorly unfortunately. As for the extent of US involvement, I am mixed about that. Its hard for me to believe that Marwan’s exact location was pinpointed from SAF intelligence as they claim given how little intelligence they seemed to have about everything else including the terrain and MILF capabilities. I would not be surprised if there were CIA assets in the camp of the MILF/imam who was sheltering Marwan. It is very likely that these assets either arranged for guides or personally went with the Seaborne or 84 SAC team to the nipa hut where Marwan was staying without alerting his security detail. Otherwise if CIA drones were the primary source of info, then the raiding teams would have been supplied with very detailefd maps which they obviously did not have since they were lost after getting Marwan and could not text their grid location so the rescuing army force could provide artillery/aerial support to help them.
I doubt the US black ops or CIA in Mindanao would risk sending a non-local operator with the raiding party as that would be pointless. The political vulnerabilities for Aquino are revelations that the CIA were behind the operation and that a suspended Purisima was in command and control of the operation. If they knew exactly where Marwan was and had an insider in the camp, a predator drone strike would have probably just been as effective and less risk for all parties concerned. It is standard practice for CIA drones to take out international terrorists in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, etc.so why should a location held by MILF/BIFF be any different?
BFD says
@caliphman
I think this is a well prepared plan, according to news report, because they were there already in December 2014, but it got canceled because of the presence of some MILF fighters in the area.
They knew the terrain well and they know the enemy strength. Unfortunately, we’ll never know if the one-hour wait had an fatal effect on their escape.
baycas says
Nonetheless, the PNP-SAF commanders have a lot of explaining to do.
—–
As a backgrounder on Mamasapano…
A video link in the article was also provided by Rappler.
baycas says
August 2014:
http://www.rappler.com/nation/65001-video-soldiers-shoot-man-philippines
Parekoy says
Now people will understand why the brutalities are from both camps!Ginawang yarget practice.
That is the culture in Magundanao, remember the Ampatuans murdering those journos?
If there will be another war, it will be more brutal, ala Balkans. Our military is itching for wiping the MILF and BIFF. FVR is pounding the wardrums and goading the key officers to withdraw support from Aquino. Not a good omen, when aging retired Generals are looking for their last war and power grab.
Aquino better man-up so he could still be able to absorb the assault coming from the Binay, FVR, Enrile, Erap, and Glorias camps!
baycas says
I hope their silence won’t take too long…
http://mobile.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/03/15/watch-saf-commandos-stay-silent-after-pnoy-pep-talk/
Because communication plays a major role…
baycas says
Booby-trapped…
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/424900/news/nation/board-of-inquiry-marwan-set-off-bombs-vs-pnp-saf-commandos
baycas says
What’s the specific instruction on the “300?”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/670185/pnp-probe-body-to-look-into-why-over-300-saf-men-failed-to-rescue-44-saf-men
moonie says
they mutinied? commit insubordination? methink the 300 received texts from their wives telling them not to be heroes, that they are more worth alive rather than dead. napenas can get stuffed.
moonie says
the 300 must have heard gun fire coming from wrong direction and knew then, the 44 were in trouble. and shrugged their shoulders.
Pickers1368 says
@Caliphman “a predator drone strike would have probably just been as effective and less risk”. Using drone is a military action not a law enforcement action.
caliphman says
Not clear what your point is. From the CIA’s standpoint, it is irrelevant as an international terrorist affiliated with al Qaeda with a State Department dead or alive reward is eliminated. From a Philippine standpoint, the only stated issue as to whether military or law enforcement forces would be involved would be to insure secrecy and using a Hell Fire Mark II from a CIA Predatordrone avoids that very problem since only Aquino or Ochoa would need to know.
drill down says
what and who, if relevant, could have made them deviate from this script? just wondering.
drill down says
ok, you’re actually saying above that marwan may not be there.
Pickers1368 says
You can’t serve an arrest warrant using drone can you? I also don’t think the SAF commander received a shoot to kill order from the CIC.
drill down says
true, drones can’t serve warrants. wonder how important that is, though. collateral damage is probably the most serious problem.
caliphman says
Last time I checked, the CIA did not serve warrants from any CIC aside from perhaps Obama to take out any international terrorist. Thanks for your comments.
drill down says
you’re right, they don’t. pickers1368 was just explaining that the objective was to arrest the target so drone is not doable. the difference between military and law enforcement action.
caliphman says
I am sure they brought handcuffs and were going to read him him his rights :)
caliphman says
Sorry, BFD, but I have to disagree with your conclusion about this being a well-prepared operation. The official AFP report did not think so either and I have a feeling many of slain 44 SAF officers families would concur given the information that is coming out. In fact, the prior attempts by the SAF makes it more puzzling and less excusable for how badly this operation was planned and executed.
Secondly, the lost hour meant all the difference in their survival. Astronomical twilight was before 5 am on January 25 which means by the time the Seaborne team was withdrawing from Marwan’s hut it was already starting to get light. As a consequence, the Milf was able to surround them and prevent them from joining the 55 SAC team and making their escape in the cover of darkness. The latter team had to wait for the Marwan kill team to assure their exit so they were caught in daylight fully exposed with little cover.
Pickers1368 says
This “insider” story is fantastic. How can this version of events reconcile with the fact that the AFP did not have the coordinates in order to mount a reinforcement? The 300 or SAF men who are just in the vicinity of the theatre could not even cross the Tukanalipao bamboo bridge so how can the AFP spring into action past these SAF commandos – by aerial support or artillery? Who to bomb or strafe? Both sides are wearing fatigue uniforms and the only ones in plain vantage point were the SAF men trapped in the cornfields.
If indeed Pnoy was in the war room then Purisima, Ochoa or anybody else is clean. Only one can give orders or possesses the ultimate authority to do so and it is the Commander in Chief. There is no need for the committee to shield Aquino from involvement because he already admitted that he knew about the operation. You can’t put the genie back. He did not deny any knowledge of it. It doesn’t matter how he understood it because he could have asked if he wants to. Having said that there can’t be any talk of culpability because it was a legitimate law enforcement operation authorized by the President of the Republic. The only drawback here is when Aquino bypassed the chain of command by keeping Espina out of the loop.