THE NEW BAILEY bridge rises beside the old wooden footbridge in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province. NASRUDIN KAMENSA/CONTRIBUTOR
Senator Grace Poe welcomed the filing of the complex crime of direct assault with murder against five commanders and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups (PAG) for the deaths of 44 members of the Special Action Forces (SAF) in a counterterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last year.
Poe said that the filing of charges is a step toward “attaining justice for our police commandos who were massacred in Mamasapano while doing legitimate law enforcement operations.”
READ: Murder raps filed over Mamasapano
The charges of the government against the BIFF, MILF, and PAG members are consistent with the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, the senator said.
Poe chaired the said committee during the 16th Congress.
“Ito ay simula ng paghahatid ng katarungan para sa ating mga pulis na walang awang pinatay habang nagsasagawa lamang ng isang lehitimong operasyon na hindi dapat nagwakas sa walang saysay na trahedya at pagkalagas ng buhay,” she said.
(This marks the beginning of achieving justice for our police who had been mercilessly slain while performing a legitimate operation that shouldn’t have ended in a senseless tragedy and loss of lives.)
READ: FULL TEXT: Senate draft report on Mamasapano incident
The senator also expressed hope that the charges would not derail the government’s efforts in attaining peace in Mindanao.
On Monday, the Department of Justice charged Commanders Abdulrahman Abdulrakman Upan, Rakman (118TH MILF), Refy Guiaman, Anife and Haumves alias Haves, operation commander of the 105th MILF Base Command and 83 others with direct assault with murder.
In the 55-page resolution, the DOJ panel upheld the testimony of 12 witnesses who positively identified the accused.
Others who were charged were: others charged were Abdul Wahab, Maroks Nanding, Muslimin Gumanding Amilil aka Moslimen Amilil, Repi Gugu aka Riffi Gugu aka Riffi, Ustads Manan Saluwang, Abdul Wahab Kamsa, Aladin Sakal, Alex Ampatuan, Aljun Baklayan, Benjie Ampatuan, Bitol Guiaman, Boden Hadji Mao aka Sahabudin Kedza, Borgo Kasan, Borgo Kasnan,Hadji Abdulsalam, Hadji Mohammad aka Hadji Muhammad, Khalim Keda aka Kalem Keda, Kommedo Galib, Monnie B. Samal aka Manny Samal, Mustapha I. Tatak, Nasri Salik, Nasser Adam, Rixback Tongan, Roland Samal aka Blackmoro Sapal, Saiden Laguilom, Samantin Upam, Samsudin Alis Samsudin Salik, Samsudin Upam, Saudi Upam ala Sandi Upam, Sonny Pende, Toto Guiaman, Toto Sakal, Ustads Galib Rugioman, Waldo Hadji Abubakar, alias Campar, alias Gapor, alias Labnan Abu Halil, Abu Rusta, Badrudin Minidal Abdullah, Ben Tikaw, Datukan Sato Sabiwang Guibar Amil Diya aka Jabar, Hud Lamban Abdullah aka Hud Amilil, Kagi Abdul Salam, Kamar Duma, Kambal Sabpa, Lakiman Klid Dawaling, Makku Tikaw aka Maku, Mahmod Pidtub Amilil, Marops Kudos Omar aka Marup, Mer Amilil, Mohammad Ali Tambako, Morsid Awab, Muhamidin Abas Sinsuat, Musa Awab, Musib Kamot Hasim, Noel Sinsuat Ganoy, Pendatun Utek Makakua aka Otik Pendatun aka Otik Pindatun, Rasul Mendo aka Rasul Animbang aka Bisaya, Salik Kikok aka Salik Kikuk, Suweb Inday Balabagan, Tamano Esmail Sabpa, Teng Sabpa aka Theng Sabpa, Ustads Madiyan, Abdul Waab Sabpa Gapar Sinsuat, Joel Tatak, Resbak Salindatu, Ustads Gali, alias Diok, alias Johari, alias Juhari, alias Kalirin, alias Kutap, alias Moter, alias Mawiya, alias Ngods, alias Pakki, alias Ramos, alias Saudi, alias Sumba and alias Usah. CDG/rga