Ombudsman expects Mamasapano probe results end of April
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday said she expected the results of their investigation over the Mamasapano incident that claimed the lives of 67 persons by the end of this month.
In an ambush interview, Morales, a former Supreme Court Associate Justice, said the antigraft unit is wrapping up its investigation on the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last Jan. 25. This operation succeeded in killing wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan but at the expense of the lives of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, and five civilians.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. INQUIRER PHOTO
Morales said the results of the probe were delayed due to “glitches” but she did not elaborate.
She also said the Ombudsman would investigate more persons who were not initially probed in its investigation.
“I was assured that I will have it before the end of the month. There was some glitch because we are not only investigating the principal factors, those that have what appeared to be some participants who were not investigated but we think that they should be investigated so we can get the holistic picture,” Morales said.
In a separate press conference, Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said the report was in its final stages for approval.
“The report is now on its final stage of drafting so the panel is polishing the report and it will be released anytime soon,” Rafanan said.
“At this stage I think they have gathered all available documents so far identified and they are wrapping up the evaluation of the documents and testimonies of witnesses and the panel is ready to have the final approval of the Ombudsman in this report,” he added.
The Ombudsman is investigating the incident for possible dereliction of duty on the part of SAF, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines officials in the botched operation that was marred with lack of coordination.
Sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas took the blame for failing to coordinate early on with the military supposedly upon the orders of resigned police chief Alan Purisima, himself suspended by the Ombudsman on corruption charges.
Purisima was said to have kept the operation to himself and ran the operation despite his suspension to vindicate himself from his charges. AU/RC
