NBI mulling over own probe–De Lima

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday said the National Bureau of Investigation is assessing whether it needs to conduct its own investigation of Sunday’s clash between Special Action Force (SAF) men and Moro rebels in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province that left 44 policemen dead.

Speaking after attending a session here of the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC), De Lima said she had promised to help get justice for the slain SAF men when their relatives talked to her on Thursday after the remains were brought to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“I promised them that justice will be served,” De Lima said.

But she stressed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would wait for the findings of the board of inquiry formed by the police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, as well as other investigations to lead the prosecution of cases.

Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., a former Philippine National Police chief who attended the RDC meeting, also defended suspended PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima.

Speculations were rife that Purisima guided the antiterrorism operations of the SAF in Maguindanao that targeted wanted terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known by the alias “Marwan.”

“The planning operations with Purisima began two years back. Operations can’t be suspended just because Purisima is suspended. Why blame Purisima?” said Ebdane, who was SAF commander from August 1989 to February 1991.

He also praised the SAF’s former commander, Director Getulio Napeñas Jr., for assuming responsibility for the death of his men. He said Napeñas spoke to him about the incident and had disclosed that “he asked for help that never came.”

Ebdane called for calm, saying those investigating the incident should be allowed to do their job, specifically in determining the “shortcomings” of the police, the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with which the government has drafted the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that remains pending in Congress.

Asked if the command responsibility issue should go far up to President Aquino, Ebdane said, “A commander is always responsible for what a unit does and fails to do.” Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon