Mamasapano case to be resolved in 3-4 weeks, says justice secretary

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will resolve in 3 to 4 weeks the direct assault with murder against 90 individuals for the death of 35 of the 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) on Jan. 25, 2015 in Mamasapano.

Justice Acting Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said there are so many evidence that the panel of prosecutors have to go through to resolve the case.

The DOJ panel has wrapped up its investigation after four of the 90 respondents have submitted their counter-affidavit.

“It is left to our prosecutors to go over everything that has been gathered and come up with the resolution of the case,” Caparas said.

“Please expect us to have a resolution on that matter–give us about 3 to 4 weeks to be able to do that. Napakadami kasi ng ebidensya na tinitingnan ngayon and when we proceed with whatever action we decide to later on, it has to be supported very well by evidence,” he added.

Caparas said they have monitored the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano case last Wednesday but since “there is nothing new there, whatever is on the table, we continue as far as we are is concerned.”

The panel of prosecutors, composed of Senior Asst State Prosecutor Rosanne Balauag, and Assistant State Prosecutors Alexander Suarez, Rassendell Rex Gingoyon, Benito Oliver Sales III, and Aldrin Evangelista, terminated the preliminary investigation proceedings last January 14.

The complaint involves the death of 35 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos following a clash with combined forces from the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and private armed groups (PAGs) in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. 9 other SAF troopers died, also in Mamasapano on the same day, but they were part of the group that raided terrorist Sulkifli bin Hir aka Marwan’s hut in Barangay Pidsandawan.