De Lima: Mamasapano eyewitnesses now under government protection

MANILA, Philippines–The witnesses of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the bloody Mamasapano incident have entered the government’s witness protection program, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Thursday.

De Lima said in an interview that the witnesses had provided crucial information in the Jan. 25 slaughter of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos that the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation are looking into.

“I cannot be commenting on that case while an investigation is ongoing because it might jeopardize the progress of the investigation,” she said.

But when pressed, De Lima said the witnesses had “given the investigators and prosecutors vital information about the incident because they were present before and after the encounter.”

The DOJ-NBI panel will determine the criminal charges against those responsible not only for the deaths of the 44 SAF commandos but also of 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and five civilians.

De Lima reiterated that the investigation would be fair, objective and balanced.

She said she had not received a copy of the MILF report on the rebel group’s own inquiry into the incident.

“I want to send a follow-up letter to the MILF explaining the importance of their investigation,” De Lima said.

She said they would ask the MILF to show proof of deaths as part of process of the investigation.

“We want to know who were killed from their side, including civilians, and to provide us proof of deaths for a proper investigation,” De Lima said.

The Philippine National Police board of inquiry is expected to submit its report which will be “primarily and predominantly the version of the Special Action Force because most of the statements are those from the SAF survivors and other officials of the government who had knowledge of Operation Exodus,” she said, referring to the botched mission.

“The MILF might have a different version that’s why we want to listen to their side,” De Lima said.

However, De Lima said that even without the cooperation of the MILF the DOJ team would try to meet the April 2 deadline to complete their investigation.

“Appropriate charges will be filed based on the assessment of the prosecutors and supported by evidence,” De Lima said.

The DOJ panel will go back to Mindanao and conduct an ocular examination of the clash site as soon as it is allowed by the military, she said.