Senate to hold inquiry on ‘Atimonan 13’ slays

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, on Monday said the Senate probe would most likely start when Congress sessions resume on Jan. 21. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ILOILO CITY—The Senate will open an inquiry into the killing of 13 people in a supposed shootout between government security forces and alleged criminals in Atimonan town, Quezon province, on Jan. 6.

Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, on Monday said he was ready to start the inquiry but he would wait for the findings of the government investigation before calling hearings.

Honasan said that at present he could only rely on news reports about the supposed shootout for information.

He said the Senate probe would most likely start when Congress sessions resume on Jan. 21

It was Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who called for a Senate inquiry into the supposed shootout in aid of legislation.

The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into what really happened in Atimonan on orders from President Aquino.

Excessive force

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the NBI investigation should determine whether there was “use of excessive force or violation of the rules of engagement” in the incident.

Honasan said the investigation would focus on the conduct of the policemen and soldiers at the checkpoint in Atimonan where the supposed shootout happened.

Among the 13 killed were three policemen and three soldiers.

Only one on the government’s side, Supt. Hansel Marantan, leader of the police team at the checkpoint, was supposedly wounded during what police called an exchange of gunfire between the security forces and the members of a gun-for-hire syndicate.

The supposed gun battle lasted for about 20 minutes.

The families of those who were slain  claim there was no shootout and that the victims were killed in an ambush.

Many gaps

“Offhand, there [was the involvement of] military personnel and there are many things to explain. There are many gaps [in the accounts of the incident],” Honasan told reporters here.

Honasan, also chair of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, was in Iloilo City for a press briefing on bills pending on his committees.

On the Atimonan incident, he said there were “so many speculations,” with “lives and reputations at stake.”

Honasan said the committee would match the official investigation report with what the senators perceived to be the actual events.

“Definitely, we want to find out if it’s the law that was defective, its implementation or the police simply do not know how to operate a checkpoint,” Honasan said. With a report from Cathy Yamsuan in Manila