Sensitivities must be considered in Mamasapano case—justice secretary
There are sensitivities that need to be taken into consideration in resolving the case filed against those responsible for the death of 35 of the 44 members of the elite police force last January 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, Acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said Friday.
Last January, Caparas said the Mamasapano case will be resolved in three to four weeks.
READ: Mamasapano case to be resolved in 3-4 weeks, says justice secretary
By February, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the resolution on the preliminary investigation against 90 individuals would probably be released by March because it is still subject to review.
That same month, Caparas made the same assurance that the resolution will be released by March.
READ: DOJ fails to meet deadline to resolve criminal raps vs suspects in Mamasapano
“It is hard to commit. Like I explained the last time, there are certain sensitivities that we are trying to protect,” Caparas said.
“We want to do what is best for everybody as much as possible,” he added.
Caparas, however, refused to give details on the “sensitivities” that need to be considered but hinted on the parties involved.
Out of the 90 respondents from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF) and private armed groups, only four respondents have submitted their counter-affidavits to the prosecution panel.
Those who submitted their counter-affidavits were Pendatun Utek Makakua, Mustapha Tatak, Lakiman Dawaling and Khalim Keda.
Aside from the murder charges, the respondents are also charged with theft for allegedly stealing the firearms, communications equipment, night vision goggles, cellular phones and other personal belonging of the slain Philippine National Police-Special Action Force personnel.
Of the 90 respondents, 13 are battalion commanders of MILF and six commanders of BIFF.
They were charged with the killing of 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. RAM
