Roxas reiterates commitment for quick, transparent probe on Mamasapano clash

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday vowed proper, quick and transparent investigation by the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry into the bloody Mamasapano clash that left 44 elite police commandos dead.

 

Roxas reiterated his commitment to a transparent investigation at the start of the House of Representatives’ hearing on the covert anti-terror raid in the Maguindanao town last Jan. 25.

 

“Nandito tayo hindi para kwestyunin ang kadakilaan ng mga SAF members. Andito tayo upang alamin ang katotohanang nababalot sa insidenteng ito. Ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng BOI ay makakatulong sa PNP, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) at Napolcom (National Police Commission) para maiwasan ulit ang pangyayaring ito,” he said in his opening statement.

 

Roxas said the BOI is still in the fact-finding stage and has yet to come up with its conclusions regarding the Mamasapano incident, particularly with regard to the culpability of the officials involved in the covert police operation codenamed “Oplan Exodus.”

 

Also in his opening statement, Roxas renewed his tribute to the bravery of the slain SAF troopers in Mamasapano, saying there was no doubt about their valor.

 

“Walang kaduda-dudang nagpapasalamat ang buong sambayanan sa kadakilaan ng nasawing SAF troopers. Walang kaduda-duda na isang high-value target ang naghasik ng terorismo sa ating bansa. Wala ring kaduda-duda sa kakayahan ng SAF. Walang kaduda-duda sa katapangan at kagitingan nila,” Roxas said.

 

The SAF troopers were killed in a clash with rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) while in pursuit of wanted Malaysian terorrist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman. 

Authorities claimed killing Marwan but Usman was able to escape. — Xianne Arcangel/RSJ, GMA News