B.D.F., JIOC and the WhatsApp Messages
While it is being questioned as to why the men didn’t have radio communication with them, Brigadier General Steven Ortega says that that decision and the use of cell phones for communication would be a matter taken up by JIOC. Ortega says that JIOC coordinated the mission and they made certain determinations that day based on their assessment of the mission they were to carry out. Here’s how Ortega and Minister of National Security responded to further questions from the press about the WhatsApp messages.
Andrea Polanco
“From your end, is WhatsApp the only or the preferred medium used to communication when you are out on missions?”
Steven Ortega
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, B.D.F.
“At times because that is what is available.”
Andrea Polanco
“Okay – is there any other form of communication that you would use?”
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
“Sure. We use radios but it depends on the availability and location you are at.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, radios wouldn’t have been an option that morning, you are saying?”
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
“Could be. I am not sure, because it was JIOC conduction the operation.”
Michael Peyrefitte
Andrea Polanco
“But, you as the general, don’t you ensure that when your men go out that they are equipped; or your person in charge of operations, would he not have checked those things?”
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
“It is a JIOC run operation through the air wing. They know what they need and they send out that requirement.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, JIOC knows all the procedures of the B.D.F.?”
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
“No, the air wing knows what they need for an operation that they have been tasked to do. And if that was the preferred method then they would use that.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, JIOC determines that is used you are saying?”
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
“…for certain missions.”
Andrea Polanco
“That area where those men would have been on operation or were supposed to be on operation – data is very spotty in that area; the communication there is very dodgy. To me, it would raise some flags that you would rely on WhatsApp in an area where data usage is real challenge. That to me, it poses a serious concern and it puts a big limitation to me, on these men, who were out there?”
Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security
“It poses a major concern to me that we do not have the resources, enough resources to deal with these kinds of missions, indeed; that is my personal opinion.”
Andrea Polanco
“The fact that that is an issue now and it is being seen as an issue now that four lives have been lost, I think it says a lot about what is going on there in the B.D.F., or the Ministry, for example, that four lives are lost it is a big issue. Clearly to me, it is that you have sent these men out there unprepared, unequipped, sent them out to their deaths?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“No. We didn’t send them out to their deaths. Major Ramirez had total discretion to refuse the mission if weather conditions were not favourable or if WhatsApp messages could not easily be communicated. At any time, it is universally accepted within the military and especially when it comes to flights from the air wing, that even if he needed to communicate but couldn’t communicate, he could turn back and abort the mission. The discretion was totally his.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, we put that responsibility on a dead man, you’re saying?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“When you read the report, you tell me.”
Reporter
“Since it was really a JIOC operation and Mr. Veliz was in charge of the JIOC operation and he was the last point of contact with that one stroke indication – was it not his duty to follow up?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“That is a part of the investigation that is ongoing.”
Reporter
“Minister will you be making public these communication, these WhatsApp communication that purportedly taken place?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Absolutely not.”
Reporter
“Why, Minister?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Because it could expose other members of the security forces.”
Reporter
“I thought this communication was just between the members conducting the operation?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Don’t you think that would expose certain things? Don’t you think there would be communication that would reveal certain things that would harm some of our people who are still out there working to protect us?”
