The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has identified and forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) names of personalities from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters suspected to be involved in the Mamasapano incident that killed 44 of its elite police commandos.
During the Senate hearing on PNP modernization and reorganization, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Benjamin Magalong said several persons have already been investigated, but added that majority of them had denied their involvement in what he called a “massacre.”
“We are working closely with the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice. We have identified some personalities in the MILF and BIFF and we have provided these names to DOJ investigators, provided backgrounds. Right now they are evaluating piece of evidence,” Magalong told Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order.
Magalong said the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation is still ongoing, as the agency is still evaluating the credibility of evidence and statements of witnesses.
“As far as the CIDG is concerned, we have provided pieces of evidence, as well as the names,” he said.
But Poe expressed concern over the length of time since the failed operation took place and the lack of resolution at present.
“What is the missing piece bakit hindi nila matukoy? How long will it take?” Poe said. “Ilang buwan na ‘to; I’m sure tumakas na ‘yung mga ‘yun.”
Poe, who led the Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano incident, also asked Magalong if a police officer is obliged to follow a commander’s order even if he deems it illegal, to which the latter answered: “No, Ma’am, we should not follow it.”
“So it is as simple as that. Kung merong order, it is not absolute that you have to follow the order of your commander; it has to be within reason and legal. I just wanted that for the record,” the lady senator said.
Benefits for SAF families still underway
The PNP leadership also assured Poe that families of the fallen 44 have been receiving the benefits, including educational assistance for children, entitled to them.
PNP said the benefits given to the families have been classified into two: legal benefits from the police force and the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and donations. Pension from Napolcom will last five years, while the PNP lifetime pension will last as long as the widow is alive and will not remarry, and will extend to their children until they reach the age of 18. JE