MANILA, Philippines–Senator Alan Peter Cayetano engaged anew in a heated debate with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal as the Senate probe on the Mamasapano incident resumed on Tuesday.
Cayetano slammed Iqbal for tagging the uploaders of the gruesome video of the incident “criminals.”
The video showed a gunman finishing off PO1 Joseph Sagonoy, one of the 35 slain men of the 55th Special Action Force Company, and shooting him twice in the face.
Iqbal said the uploaders of the video, one of whom recently turned himself to the National Bureau of Investigation, did the crime of “spreading darkness.”
Cayetano then replied: “That’s not a crime. The video was the truth.”
Iqbal said: “It’s creating intrigues.”
The Senator, who has been a staunch critic of the Bangsamoro Basic Law since the deadly Mamasapano clash, said: “Sasabihin niyo kriminal ‘yung nag-upload. Then how can you say that the BBL and the MILF are ready for democracy kung tatawagin niyong kriminal ang kung sinong mag-upload ng video sa inyong paniniwala?”
Afterwards, the MILF representative told Cayetano, “Your honor, would you allow me to ask you a question? Authorized ba ‘yung dalawang ‘yun to upload the video?”
“Yes sir, under the Philippine constitution, freedom of speech, anyone can be a journalist on the internet. Kung ako may ginulpi and it will cause shame on the Senate, anyone can upload na si Alan Cayetano, may ginulpi dito.
“Even if the impact creates intrigues among the people?” Iqbal asked.
Exasperated, Cayetano replied: “Yes sir, especially if it’s the truth!”
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First published on Feb 24, 2015, 3:18 p.m.