Duterte wants 'fast investigation' on Mamasapano

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants the investigation of the bloody Mamasapano encounter to be fast as the police have already completed its probe on the incident, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Banaag noted that the clash was the subject of a Senate inquiry and the result of the police investigation has been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. 

“The president would like to have a fast investigation — resolution or recommendation,” Banaag said in an interview with radio station dzRB.

“If you remember, the report of the PNP (Philippine National Police) less than two years ago has been completed. In fact, it has been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.

Asked whether there is a timetable prescribed by the commission that will look into the Mamasapano clash, Banaag said: “Hopefully, within…a few weeks from now.”

“More or less, the reports have been completed. However, the commission would be polishing if they need evidence or data to complete the recommendation and to provide the president a clear picture of the Mamasapano incident,” she added.

Forty-four members of the Special Action Force (SAF) were killed in an encounter with lawless groups and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.   
 
The police commandos entered the MILF bailiwick to arrest wanted terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino lieutenant Basit Usman. Marwan was killed during the operation while Usman was able to escape. The Filipino terrorist was killed in a gun battle with government troops four months later.
 
Dubbed as “Oplan Exodus,” the law enforcement operation sparked a clash that left 44 SAF troopers and 18 MILF members dead and hampered the peace talks between the government and Moro rebels.   
 
Last week, Duterte announced that he would create a commission to investigate the Mamasapano encounter, saying there are several questions about the incident that need to be answered. He said the commission would be “independent in all aspects” and would be composed of Supreme Court justices, civilians and a lawyer.
 
Duterte said the investigations conducted during the previous administration “left a void” that needs to be filled.

He also expressed disappointment over the way the incident was handled and even accused former President Benigno Aquino III of “feeding” the SAF troopers to the “lion’s den to be eaten by death.”

Aquino has denied having direct participation in the planning, approval and execution of Oplan Exodus and claimed to have instructed the police to coordinate with the military before conducting the operation.