MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the Office of the Ombudsman’s verdict to dismiss the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide cases against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and two others in relation to the 2015 Mamasapano encounter.
Voting 15-0, the SC said there is no reason to charge Aquino, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) head Getulio Napenas for the said incident.
The High Court added that the Ombudsman did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it dismissed the complaint against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas.
“The court held that the Ombudsman did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in dismissing the complaints for 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide filed against private respondents,” the SC said.
The Office of the Ombudsman has previously indicted Aquino, Purisima and Napenas for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (graft and usurpation of authority) for their role in the Mamasapano operation.
But relatives and family members of the slain SAF commandos petitioned to the SC that the former President be instead charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires then moved for the withdrawal of the remaining cases against Aquino before the Sandiganbayan, a request that was granted a month ago./PN
