De Lima skeptical about video of unidentified slain Caucasian in Mamasapano

“IS that authentic?” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday asked, referring to the video showing the body of a supposed Caucasian soldier killed in the Jan. 25 incident where 44 SAF members were killed.

De Lima said it is not proper to draw conclusion unless it has been verified that the video is authentic.

“Caucasian ba talaga? If that video is authentic, the question is Caucasian ba talaga…“Mahirap gumawa ng kung anu-anong mga conclusion, mga speculation na ’yan. ’Yun ba talaga hitsurang puti, hitsurang Caucasian? Pwede namang Pilipino na mestizo, it can be that,” de Lima said.

The Justice Chief stressed that foreign troops are prohibited from participating in actual combat operations in the country.

So far, de Lima said investigations showed that US participation in the Mamasapano clash is limited to intelligence sharing and medical evacuation.

“If that is the case, there is no violation, especially since we are partners with the US in the fight against terror,” de Lima said. Tetch Torres-Tupas