‘Mamasapano probe politically motivated’

MANILA, Philippines – He smells political motivation, but President Aquino expressed readiness yesterday to face the reopening of the congressional inquiry into the deaths of 44 police commandos in Maguindanao.

Aquino took a swipe at some lawmakers for calling for a new probe, which he said could be taken advantage of because of the election season.

But he also said it could be an opportunity to provide a complete picture of what happened in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015, saying the “truth shall set us all free.”

“I suppose in everything that is happening, we can see that politics plays a big role. Maybe we should not forget the one initiating this, maybe we can understand, has ill-feelings toward my administration,” Aquino said.

He conceded his political opponents were aware that the Mamasapano incident was the “biggest blow” to hit him since he assumed office. 

“Maybe they are trying to take advantage of the opportunity. Of course, as President, as father of the nation, I cannot be largely emotional about this,” Aquino told reporters after the inauguration of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao City.

Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee handling the reopening of the Mamasapano probe, gave assurance her committee would not allow grandstanding during the resumption of hearings on Jan. 25.

Poe said the committee would not be used by the senators and resource persons to advance their political agenda.

She said the hearings would allow “constructive” questions. “We would not allow personal questions not related to the issues,” she said.

Poe on Tuesday announced the Senate would reopen the Mamasapano probe, citing the need of some lawmakers, including Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, to clarify some issues.

Enrile claimed he has information different from the details established during the first Senate hearings.

Aside from Enrile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate wanted the Poe committee to find out the extent of involvement of US troops in the operation. – Edith Regalado, Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero