Escudero backs reopening of investigation into Mamasapano ordeal

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero backed the reopening of the Senate investigation into the bloody January 25 Mamasapano encounter to determine how the reported “new accounts” were relevant to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) men.

“I am for the reopening of the Mamasapano probe in the Senate so we can exhaust all possible scenarios and ferret out the truth behind the police operation that targeted an international terrorist and led to the death of our SAF troopers,” Escudero said in a statement on Wednesday.

Escudero said reopening the Senate probe is also a good way to settle the issue as to who really took down terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came up with its own version.

READ: New Mamasapano lead eyed

An MILF source reportedly claimed that Marwan was actually murdered by his own aide, contrary to earlier reports that he was killed by the SAF troopers. This assertion drew violent reaction from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The MILF has its own version as to who took down Marwan. The PNP has its own version, too, that the SAF troopers killed Marwan,” said the senator.

While it does not appear good in public that there is squabble between the PNP and the MILF, Escudero said, “At the end of the day justice must be served.”

“Both camps are presenting opposing versions and pieces of evidence. Each has its own interpretation of the truth.” he said.

“Ngunit sa kabila ng awayang ito, dapat pa rin natin makuha ang buong kwento at katotohanan. Dapat mayroong hustisya. Kailangang may mapanagot para sa mga namatay,” he added.

(Despite this issue, we should get the whole story and the truth. There should be justice. There should be accountability for those who died.)

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, earlier said she was considering reopening the Mamasapano probe in light of President Benigno Aquino III’s pronouncement that there may be an “alternative version” of what transpired during the encounter. Maila Ager/RAM

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