Press Release
January 28, 2016

Transcript of ANC's interview with Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

Q: Were you informed of the existence of such a video tape that is supposedly taken by a US military drone about the fire fight between the SAF and the MILF?

SPFMD: No and if there is such a video tape, it should have been shown yesterday during the seven-hour hearing. Nothing was shown and we closed the hearing.

Q: As a matter of fact, a lot of people were somehow disappointed that the hearing yesterday did not reveal any new information. Senator Enrile said he was going to show eight points that will show the participation of the President. Do you feel that any of that came out yesterday?

SPFMD: No such information came out because there is no evidence that could support those assertions and charges. Well, the main thrust of Senator Enrile's request to re-open the investigation is the alleged direct participation of the President in the planning and execution of the Oplan Exodus. During the seven-hour hearing, it was shown that it was actually Napenas who crafted the Oplan Exodus. It was him who signed the Oplan Exodus as the author of that document. He deliberately disregarded the President's instruction to coordinate with the AFP. As a result of that; it was Napenas who compartmentalized the operation on the Mamapasano to himself and Purisma, because of his mistrust to the AFP. So he was the approving authority of the Oplan Exodus and all the other plans before that. He was so proud that he was the author of this. There was some responsibility borne out of this. There was no evidence, after seven hours of hearing, of any approval of the president. It was Napenas who approved and planned the whole thing. Of course, he informed the President.

Q: One of the most telling statements coming out from that hearing was the confirmation that there was no order from the President to the AFP to stand down from providing reinforcement to the SAF.

SPFMD: That's correct. Even Napenas said there was no such order. The AFP said there was no such order. Those assertions of stand down just made the story more interesting.

Q: Again, to make the story more interesting is the claim by Valeroso that there was an audio recording of an attempt to cover up the Mamasapano incident. Such information coming from a former military officer, do you think it should be worth looking into without necessarily producing that audio recording?

SPFMD: I don't want to dignify those kinds of remarks. We were there for seven hours. If he had anything, it should have been brought up yesterday.

Q: If they had to bring that out, it should be brought out in a public hearing or executive session?

SPFMD: Whatever they want to do. It's their own privilege. But we were there for seven hours and nobody came out with that.

Q: With what happened yesterday, Senator Poe said that there is really nothing more to add to the committee report.

SPFMD: If there's anything to add is that the President did not actively and directly participate in the planning and preparation of the Oplan Exodus, except that it was submitted to him.

Q: In the committee report, do you expect to include what the PNP said that the President may have breached the chain of command?

SPFMD: I don't want to pre-empt Senator Poe and her committee. One thing that she said is there was nothing that will prompt her to revise her report. I do not know if she will submit that report to the Senate plenary for approval so it will be debated upon. As of now, it remains a committee report and it has not been acted upon by the Senate?

Q: Do you still have time to do that?

SPFMD: We have three days left. Let's see. I cannot be certain about that.

Q: In the Senate, what's the status of the BBL?

SPFMD: Senator Enrile is still interpellating and the signs are not very good. I don't think we have enough time. I don't know if Senator Marcos will be present during the next three days. I am not optimistic that we will be able to pass the BBL in the Senate.

Q: What was the communication between Congress and Malacanang on this issue? Has the President of any of his representative been giving any signal that you should really try to give this BBL to the Aquino administration before he steps down.

SPFMD: It's not a matter of giving it to the Aquino administration. Yes, the President had been pushing for the passage of this but he has also been realistic. Unfortunately, and especially given the political environment that we've been operating in with the last few weeks, it is extremely difficult to get this through by Wednesday next week. As I've said, we will keep on pushing but I don't think we can pass it.

Q: Whatever the outcome, it might become historically the fault of the legislature for not being able to pass the BBL and not completing this important piece of the peace process with the MILF?

SPFMD: Let's put the record straight. We were on the way to the approval of the BBL. The committee hearings were going smooth until the Mamasapano incident took place. In fairness to the legislature, we did our best but you can operate only in a political environment conducive to the passage of this bill. Unfortunately, after the Mamasapano incident, the environment became very toxic. I can say that I think the BBL is the 45th victim in Mamasapano.

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