Poe: Mamasapano case will allow Aquino to air side

Sen. Grace Poe INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Senator Grace Poe on Friday welcomed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to indict former President Benigno Aquino III over the Mamasapano bloodbath that led to the death of 44 Special Action Force commandos in January 2015.

“Let us allow the mandated legal institutions to perform their duties as they act on this case and allow the former president to present his defense,” Poe said in a text message to reporters.

READ: Ombudsman orders filing of raps vs Aquino over Mamasapano massacre

Poe, who formerly chaired the Senate committee on public order, led the Senate inquiry that investigated on the circumstances surrounding the Mamasapano debacle.

Based on the committee report, Aquino was found “ultimately responsible” for the Mamasapano deadly incident.

“In the end we should respect whatever the outcome will be, so we, as a nation will be able to put closure to this incident,” she said.

The lady senator hopes that justice would eventually be served to the slain cops and their bereaved families.

“However, we do hope that in the end, justice will truly be served,” Poe said.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of charges against Aquino for Usurpation of Authority (Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code) and violation of Section 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

Standing as his co-conspirators, are former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima and Director Getulio Napeñas of the Special Action Force (SAF).

Morales said Aquino was aware that Purisima was preventively suspended pending his graft indictment over the anomalous Werfast gun courier service deal, but he still allowed Purisima to participate in the planning of the anti-terror raid dubbed as Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that took down international terrorist Marwan.

Morales, an appointee of Aquino, however cleared the former Chief Executive of homicide.

In a resolution, the Ombudsman said Aquino cannot be held liable for the deaths of the slain policemen because their deaths “remain to be the intentional act of shooting by the hostile forces.” JPV