DOJ to form fact-finding team to probe Mamasapano clash

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Justice (DOJ) will form a fact-finding team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the January 25 encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) were killed.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the team will be composed of state prosecutors and/or state attorneys under the DOJ National Prosecution Service (NPS) as well as investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an attached agency of the department.

De Lima will personally supervise the team.

“[The team is tasked] to undertake case build-up and to prepare the appropriate or necessary criminal charges against those who may be identified and determined to be responsible dun sa nangyari,” De Lima said.

“We will be closely coordinating with the PNP, the Board of Inquiry, and, of course, we will not be precluded also from gathering evidence so as to help in the case build-up,” she added.

De Lima also denied reports that they are already set to file charges against 13 individuals–five members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and eight former MILF members now affiliated with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“I don’t even know yet kung sino yung mga personalities na kakasuhan,” she added.

The SAF troopers were on a mission to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir aka “Marwan” and Filipino bomb maker Abdulbasit Usman when they figured in a clash with the Moro groups.

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