Circus won’t be in town as House suspends Mamasapano probe

MANILA, Philippines –  The House of Representatives inquiry into the Mamasapano clash was suspended as the chamber wanted to wait for the results of the police investigation on the botched operation that left 44 members of the Special Action Force dead.

The chairpersons of the committees conducting the probe said the House leadership called for the suspension of the probe “to avoid premature conclusions,” said Negros Occidental Jeffrey Ferrer, who chairs the House public order and safety committee conducting the probe.

“In consultation with the chamber leadership and party leaders, we arrived at the consensus to suspend hearings on the Mamasapano incident pending the release of the findings of the board of inquiry. This is to avoid premature conclusions,” Ferrer said in a text message.

“We realize that we really have to wait for the result of the Board of Inquiry investigation,” according to Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, who chairs the House peace, reconciliation and unity conducting a joint probe with the public order and safety committee.

The House probe last Wednesday was described as a “circus” in social media as some lawmakers upstaged each other to express their outrage over the incident that was blamed on lack of coordination with authorities.

Speaking before the plenary, Majority floor leader Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said the House leadership consulted with the chairpersons and requested for a suspension of the probe.

“During the meeting with House leadership in the conference room of the Speaker, it was consensus of the House leadership to request for the chairpersons to in the meantime postpone the hearing, and to allow first the Board of Inquiry to finish its job, so that the committee can use (the report) later,” Gonzales said in response to the question posed by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on the floor.

In a statement, Zarate said the House suspension of the probe is part of the Malacanang’s “maneuver” to cover up the investigation on the incident.

“The cancellation of the House investigations is a clear maneuvering by Malacanang to put a stop to the growing disenchantment of the people over President Aquino’s disastrous governance,” Zarate said.

Speaking before the plenary, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the lower chamber is essentially abandoning its functions to find out the truth, including President Aquino’s alleged accountability on the botched operation.

“We will be abandoning our functions at getting at the truth,” Colmenares said

Allegations were raised that President Aquino authorized the operation to then suspended police chief Alan Purisima while keeping Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and other police military and defense officials in the dark about the plan intended to take down two terrorists allegedly coddled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF was involved in the attack that killed the elite cops.

Sacked Special Action Force commander Getulio Napenas said Purisima gave the order to keep the operation secret. Purisima had maintained that his suspension does not stop him from giving “advice” on the operation.

The support of Congress for the Bangsamoro basic bill, seeking to implement the peace deal with MILF, waned due to the involvement of the main benefactor of the bill.