Ochoa, del Rosario invited to Senate probe of Mamasapano incident

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario. FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario have been invited for the first time as resource persons in the ongoing Senate investigation on the Mamasapano incident.

The Senate, through the committees on public order, peace, reunification and reconciliation, and finance, is scheduled to resume public hearing on the incident at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23.

Del Rosario’s invitation came amid persistent talks of the alleged involvement of the United Stated in the Mamasapano operation last Jan. 25 that resulted in the death of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.

Still invited at the resumption of the public hearing are key personalities who previously appeared before the Senate probe like resigned PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima, relieved SAF Director Getulio Napenas, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang, Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and other military and police officials, among others.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was also invited again to the probe.