Palace backs OSG call to file charges vs Aquino for Mamasapano mess

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang on Friday supports the position of the Office of the Solicitor General that former President Benigno Aquino III should be prosecuted for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide over the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in the botched Mamasapano operation.

“The Solicitor General as counsel of the Government is correct. There ought to be accountability for those responsible for the SAF 44 debacle,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Friday.
READ: Mamasapano case: SolGen wants SC to intervene in filing of homicide raps vs Aquino

On Thursday, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court to order the Ombudsman to charge former President Aquino with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide for the death of 44 SAF troopers.

In a 45-page manifestation, Calida expressed his support to the petition filed by two relatives of slain SAF commandos.

Aside from Aquino, the top government lawyer also said former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr. should be charged with 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

In January 25, 2015, 44 police commandos were killed in a botched anti-terror raid to neutralize Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan and his trusted right-hand Abdul Basit Usman. /jpv