Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure that there would be no delays in the evaluation of criminal charges against the respondents in the killing of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.
“It’s been nine months since the January 25 Mamasapano incident but until now the case against those responsible for the killing of the SAF 44 are still in the preliminary investigation stage,” Marcos said in a statement on Thursday.
READ: DOJ summons 90 MILF, BIFF, armed group members in Mamasapano raid | ‘New Mamasapano witnesses unreliable’
While criminal complaints were filed against 90 respondents, the senator said some of those responsible for the death of the SAF 44 have yet to be identified.
He urged newly-appointed Justice Secretary Benjamin Caguioa to ensure that appropriate cases could be filed in court against the respondents if warranted.
He said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should continue its probe and exhaust all efforts to find leads that could point to other suspects in the Mamasapano clash.
“How long must the family of the SAF 44 have to wait until justice is done?” he said.
Marcos renewed his call for justice for the slain members of the SAF 44 after he visited the grave of the late Police Officer 3 Omar Nacionales at Luna Memorial Park in La Union.
Nacionales was born in Marcos, Ilocos Norte where the senator served as governor for three terms.
“As we remember our dear departed, let us not forget the valor and the ultimate sacrifice of the SAF 44. Let us all work together and not rest until they get the justice they deserve,” Marcos said.
On January 25, 44 SAF commandos died during an 11-hour firefight with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and other private armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. CDG
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