House to hear Mamasapano testimony behind closed doors

MANILA, Philippines–The House of Representatives will resume Tuesday its inquiry into the Mamasapano massacre behind closed doors with sensitive details, including the extent of US participation, to be kept from the public, according to a lawmaker.

Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao, Isabela 4th district representative, warned his colleagues against disclosing what will go on in the executive session to prevent leaking sensitive matters involving national security.

“The executive session was scheduled upon request of our police and military guests. They thought some of the questions asked by House members were very sensitive, which could not be freely discussed in public,” Aggabao said in a statement.

Aggabao, who attended both the April 7 and 8 House hearings, said that among the issues that may be discussed in private are the involvement, if any, of American troops, besides providing intelligence and medical support, in ill-fated Oplan Exodus, which led to the death of more than 60 people, 44 of them police commandos.

He assured the public the executive session would be as “substantive” as the two public hearings last week.

The same resource persons from law enforcement agencies, other government agencies, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and members of the peace panels will attend.

The joint inquiry is being held by the House committees on public order and safety chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer and on peace, reconciliation and unity headed by Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman.

ACT-CIS Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, a former police general, said the executive session would deal mostly with matters related to national security.

This “will help us determine some important truths about the failure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deliver the much-needed fire support which could have saved the SAF 44 if only this was delivered early on during the crucial hours of the day,” he said.

Also to be discussed are “some issues about the operation, tactical considerations, protocols and the preparations undertaken, and questions that are considered material but weren’t answered during the regular hearings because the resource persons asked for an executive session invoking national security concerns.”

Pagdilao said the confidential discussion would be considered in the evaluation and eventual decision on the Mamasapano investigation by the joint committee.

“Out of the public eye, there will be no more reason to hold back punches on the part of the House members, and the resource persons will have to answer all the questions propounded,” he said.