FORMER president Benigno Aquino III yesterday posted a P40-thousand bail ahead of the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with his role in the Mamasapano tragedy in Maguindanao in 2015.
Aquino went to the Sandiganbayan in the afternoon accompanied by relatives and supporters to post a P40-thousand bail, two days after the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and usurpation of authority charges against him before the anti-graft court.
The case stemmed from Aquino’s alleged role in the anti-terrorist operation that led to the killing of 44 National Police-Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.
The ex-president was slapped with one count each for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and usurpation of official function as defined under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.
The ombudsman indicted Aquino in July with the usurpation of authority.
Co-accused in the case are former National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr.
Almost 400 SAF troopers went to Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 24, 2015 in pursuit of wanted terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir a.k.a. Marwan.
The operation, dubbed as “Oplan Exodus,” killed Marwan but resulted in an encounter between the police officers and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups.
Forty-four SAF commandos died as they were moving out of the area.
The ombudsman noted that Aquino continued to receive Purisima’s advice, as shown on text messages presented during a Senate investigation into the massacre, despite the police official’s suspension over the alleged anomalous courier service deal the National Police entered under his leadership.
Aquino filed a motion for reconsideration where he argued that he was only exercising his duty to maximize all government resources available to ensure the success of the operation.
But the ombudsman denied the motion as well as the motion for reconsideration of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption to reconsider the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides against Aquino. (with reports from pna)
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