Video of terrorists proves Oplan Exodus was well-planned – Napeñas lawyer

(Updated 9:49 a.m., March 17) Video secretly taken of terrorists Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan, Basit Usman, and Amin Baco proved that the Special Action Force operation to arrest the suspects was well planned, SAF Director Getulio Napeñas' lawyer, Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre, said on Monday.

“Months before the January 25 incident (the Mamasapano clash), marami na silang ginawang mga simulation exercises; pinag-aaralan nila. The plan was made by the 84th Seaborne,” Aguirre told GMA 7 news program “24 Oras.”



Aguirre addded that proper communications equipment had been provided the SAF for the operation. "December 23 pa lang ng 2014, nag-install na ang SAF doon sa kanilang tactical command post ng three kinds of communication," he argued.

Napeñas himself said Oplan Exodus was not defective since the Mamasapano operation successfully neutralized Marwan, GMA News' 24 Oras reported Sunday. 

An investigation by a Philippine National Police-Board of Inquiry had faulted the Mamasapano operation's planners and commanders for not providing the proper communications gear and protocols, which contributed to the death of the 44 SAF police commandos.

"The BOI suffers from some handicaps, some limitations,” Aguirre countered. “Unang-una, 'yung time limitation nila, I believe the 30 days to come out with actual findings ay napakaiksi. Ikalawa and the most important, 'yung mga players hindi nila na-interview."

Napeñas has repeatedly insisted that it was the lack of artillery support that should be blamed for the deaths of the SAF commandos. — Trisha Macas/DVM/KG, GMA News