Palace willing to participate in Senate Mamasapano probe

Malacañang on Tuesday said it was willing to cooperate with the Senate in the reopening of the probe on the Mamasapano incident.

However, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. pointed out that President Benigno Aquino III had adequately addressed the issue in the past.

The Mamasapano incident refers to the covert operation in Maguindanao which succeeded in killing international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, but ended up in the death of 44 Special Action Force troopers, 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and at least three civilians.

“From the very start, the government has been open about what happened in Mamasapano. We have carried out and completed investigations on the incident like those of the PNP Board of Inquiry, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Commission on Human Rights,” Coloma said. “Even the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman have carried out their own investigations.

He pointed out that Aquino already tackled the issue in numerous public speeches on Jan. 28, Feb. 6, March 9 and March 26 last year.

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, who is out on bail on plunder charges, said the Senate probe would focus on the President’s participation.

READ: Enrile refutes Aquino claim: I have no grudge against him

It was later revealed that Aquino knew about the operation and that he allegedly tapped then suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima to direct it.

Asked if Aquino would appear before the Senate if given a formal invitation, Coloma just said that the President was the head of a coequal branch of government.

Coloma said members of the Cabinet may be invited to testify, subject to the rules of the 1987 Constitution.

He cited Section 22, Article 6 of the Constitution, which states that, “The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President, or upon the request of either House, or as the rules of each House shall provide, appear before and be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to their departments.

“Written questions shall be submitted to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least three days before their scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not be limited to written questions, but may cover matters related thereto. When the security of the state or the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance shall be conducted in executive session.”

Nevertheless, Coloma said the Executive was willing to respond to any question from lawmakers even before the start of the hearings on Jan. 25, the anniversary of the Mamasapano incident. RC