US role in Mamasapano needs further probe – de Lima

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday said the Joint Special Panel of Investigators would have to investigate further the participation of American soldiers in the January 25 encounter where 67 people were killed.

De Lima said the government’s witness alias “Marathon” mentioned that there were two Caucasian-looking male fatalities in the clash between members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) and armed Moro rebels.

The Justice Chief said their witness’ knowledge is second hand information from someone who took part in the attack.

“[It’s] not personal knowledge. May nagsabi raw sa kanya na kasama doon sa nangyari,” de Lima said.

“Sabi ng team na hindi naman pupwede i-balewala yung circumstances na yan on what exactly was the participation of the US,” de Lima said.

Reports earlier showed that when the firefight erupted between the US-trained SAF commandos and armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, US troops were allegedly present at the clash scene, triggering speculations that the Americans may have a role in “Operation Exodus” or the covert mission to capture international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir or Marwan and Filipino terrorist Abdulbasit Usman.

Marwan was killed but his Filipino deputy, Usman, who carries a $3-million price on his head, escaped.

Unable to bring Marwan’s body, the SAF troopers took photos of the slain terrorist and cut off the index finger of his right hand for DNA testing. The finger was sent to the FBI for lab tests that proved the DNA sample belonged to Marwan.

Kurt Hoyer, spokesperson for the US Embassy, denied the rumors.

“There were no US service member casualties,” Hoyer had said.

Earlier, Hoyer told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that US participation in the SAF operation had been limited to responding to the call of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for help in the evacuation of the dead and wounded after the operation.

Relieved SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas admitted seeking the help of US troops but only to recover the dead and injured SAF troopers.

Under Philippine laws, foreigners are prohibited from participating in combat operations. AC