Members of the progressive Makabayan bloc in the House of Congress submitted twenty questions regarding the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Monday to the Committees on Public Order and Peace which they wish President Benigno S. Aquino III will answer. They also appealed to the committee to invite President Aquino to the upcoming hearing on April 7 and 8.
Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday said the president has already answered most of the questions raised by the Makabayan bloc.
In a statement on Wednesday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio, said Lacierda’s statement “highlights yet again Malacañang’s stonewalling, evasiveness, and selectivity in disclosing the President’s role in Mamasapano.”
Tinio said the President has never explained why he allowed Gen. Purisima to take the lead in Oplan Exodus despite the latter’s suspension.
“Has he ever disclosed to the public what he and Purisima discussed after meeting with Napeñas in Bahay Pangarap? Has he disclosed any and all text messages and other communications to Purisima and other officials during that fateful day? Has he ever given a full accounting of the reports he received and the directives he issued to the PNP and AFP on January 25? Has he ever discussed the role played by the US military, the extent of his knowledge of such role, and the legal basis for allowing the same? The answer to all of the above is no,” Tinio said.
“The twenty questions have been posed to aid in the search for truth and accountability. Our word of advice to Malacañang: just answer the questions, please,” he said.
