PNP supports charges vs 90 MILF, BIFF men

PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Philippine National Police is “supportive” of the Department of Justice’s filing of charges against 90 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters over the massive deaths in the Mamasapano tragedy.

READ: DOJ set to file raps vs 90 MILF, BIFF men

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. told the media that while the DOJ is in the position to lodge criminal complaints against the perpetrators in the killing of 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company (SAC), the PNP for its part, backs the DOJ’s move.

The 55th SAC of the PNP Special Action Force was the group pinned down in a cornfield by members allegedly of the MILF and the BIFF amid the bloody gunfight that ensued after the 84th SAC, the assaulting force, took down Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir or Marwan.

Of the 36 members of the 55th SAC blocking force, only one survived. Meanwhile, nine of the 38 members of the assault team perished in the clash.

“Their investigation is focused on finding out the criminal liability of those involved in the killing of the SAF 44. The PNP will be supportive of such move from DOJ as we seek justice for our gallant heroes,” Cerbo said.

The charges are based on the DOJ findings and positive identification of a witness, alias “Marathon.”

As for the 84th SAC casualties, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the DOJ and National Bureau of Investigation will conduct a fact-finding probe in the next two months on the death of nine SAF commandos.

The bungled January 25 police operation that sparked public outrage also took lives of 17 MILF members and three civilians. IDL