Too many investigations, too many speculations
In a nation whose citizens focus more on rights than on responsibilities, and where public officials and plain political demagogues try to outsmart each other in "investigating" sensational events, there are far too many bodies and agencies poking their hands into the Mamasapano affair. What happens then if their respective findings would all contradict each other? Which conclusions shall prevail? Are all these not too confusing, and may prove too much to the "hoi polloi," the "bakya crowd" and the ordinary men and women in the streets? Would someone please investigate all these investigators?
The Senate has its own investigation, while the House is also conducting its own. The Ombudsman is investigating too, in order to determine possible culpability on the part of some officials, from both the PNP and the AFP. The Department of Justice sent the NBI to conduct an inquiry on possible crimes that may be filed in court and bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice. The Commission on Human Rights, with no less than Chair Loretta Ann Rosales, did go the scene of the massacre and retrieved pieces of evidence to determine any violation of human rights. These are all on top of DILG's and PNP's Board of Inquiry and the Armed Forces of the Philippines' own investigation on the ground. The MILF is investigating, too.
All these investigating bodies are not talking to, much less coordinating with, one another. And yet, they are examining the same witnesses, assessing the same set of evidence, determining the same issues of facts and hoping to come out with clear, categorical and specific findings. They should be asking the same questions: Who ordered this operation? Who were given direct instruction? Who was the over-all commander? Who was calling the shots? Was the President giving orders to the SAF directly, without coursing his instructions through the chain of command? Why were Secretary Mar Roxas and General Leonardo Espina not in the loop?
Was the US involved? If so, what manner and to what extent? Who was making coordination with the AFP? Who was calling the shots on the ground, on the part of the police, and on the AFP? Is it true that the AFP refused to send reinforcement because they were more committed to the peace process than to their police comrade-in-arms? Why didn't the military know the relative position of the contending forces at the height of the battle? Is the AFP unfamiliar with the terrain in its own area of responsibility? Does it have any intelligence operatives on the ground?
Yes, all these questions, and a lot, lot more need to be asked . But which investigating group should ask them? All? How much are the Filipino taxpayers paying for all these filibustering? What shall be the end-result of all these investigations? Will there be court martial for irresponsible military and police officials? Will heads roll and forced retirement follow? Are these not only entertainment episodes for people who have nothing productive to do? Are these investigations just in aid of reelection? Who shall reconcile and integrate all investigation findings? And who shall explain the findings to the people?
In the meanwhile, millions are hungry and angry, wallowing in extreme poverty. Five million are jobless. Twenty million are underemployed. Thirty million have no decent housing, no access to medical care and quality education. More than five thousand Filipinos are leaving each day, many of them for good. Pastilan gyod.
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