Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on Friday lauded the Ombudsman’s indictment of former President Benigno Aquino III over the Mamasapano tragedy.
In a statement, the militant lawmaker said the Ombudsman’s order to file graft and usurpation of authority charges against Aquino only shows that justice is catching up with the former president over the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015 that cost the lives of 44 SAF troopers.
READ: ‘Misappreciation of facts,’ Aquino camp says of Ombudsman indictment
Aquino was indicted for allowing dismissed police chief Alan Purisima to participate in the planning and implementation of the anti-terror raid, even though the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief was suspended and later dismissed from service for graft over an anomalous gun courier service contract.
READ: Ombudsman orders filing of raps vs Aquino over Mamasapano massacre
Purisima and sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas were earlier charged before the Sandiganbayan with graft and usurpation of powers for violating the police chain of command, that prompted the delay in deployment of reinforcement and subsequently caused the slaughter of the SAF troops trapped in the crossfire.
READ: Purisima, Napeñas charged for Mamasapano carnage
“This is long overdue. Aquino and Purisima should be held to account for the bungled Mamasapano operation,” Zarate said.
While Aquino was ordered charged with graft and usurpation of authority, he was cleared of the complaint filed against him by the surviving kin of the slain SAF policemen for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries.
READ: Ombudsman clears Aquino of homicide raps over Mamasapano tragedy
Aquino may still file a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman’s indictment against him for usurpation of authority and graft.
Zarate said Aquino should be held accountable for allowing the SAF cops to be fed to the gunfire in taking down international terrorist Marwan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, an operation the lawmaker alleged is part of the United States’ war on terror.
“The long arm of justice will eventually catch up with Noynoy and his cabal of officials who acted as willing surrogates in the US ‘war on terror’ that only unjustly wasted the lives of Filipinos. Justice must be served to those who died in Mamasapano,” Zarate said.
Zarate said it’s about time Aquino be also held accountable for the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), dubbed by critics as the presidential pork barrel system.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed the complaint filed against Aquino over the DAP, but she indicted Aquino’s budget secretary Butch Abad instead for usurpation of legislative powers.
READ: Morales insists: No proof Aquino liable for DAP
Zarate is a complainant against Aquino in the DAP case.
“President Aquino as ‘Pork Barrel King’ is also liable for the anomalous DAP and we also await his indictment by the Ombudsman on this case. DAPat managot ang lahat na sangkot sa katiwalian,” Zarate said.
READ: Militants appeal decision to clear Aquino on DAP