MANILA – Malacañang urged the Office of the Ombudsman to speed up the resolution of the cases in relation to the Mamasapano encounter in 2015 that killed 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement that the Ombudsman must resolve with dispatch the case filed against those who recklessly placed them in mortal peril.
“The nation demands justice for them as well as the prosecution of those responsible for the botched police operation,” Panelo said. “We urge the Office of the Ombudsman to dispatch the case against who recklessly placed the soldiers in mortal peril.”
He added: “Never again will we allow a recurrence of such tragic event. Those in authority must learn from the mistakes of the past otherwise those valorous men in uniform would have died in vain.”
The bloody operation, which was aimed at arresting suspected terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman, resulted in the deaths of at least 44 PNP-SAF commandos, some Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, and a few civilians.
The Ombudsman has filed graft and usurpation of authority charges against former President Benigno Aquino III, ex-PNP chief Alan Purisima and SAF chief Getulio Napeñas before the Sandiganbayan for the bungled Mamasapano operation.
President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation No. 164, has declared January 25 of every year as Day of National Remembrance for the 44 SAF troopers killed during the botched Mamasapano in January 2015.
The PNP on Friday said it already released the promised financial assistance and benefits to the relatives of the SAF 44 troopers.
PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac made the statement following complaints from some of the SAF 44 relatives who said the assistance has yet to be released in full.
“As far as the Philippine National Police is concerned, we believe nabigay na natin lahat ng kaukulang karampatan na benepisyo,” Banac said during the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44 in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
“Pero bukas tayo sa anumang hinaing nila, kung meron pa ngang kailangan nilang matanggap, ay bukas ang PNP na tumulong pa rin, hindi natin papabayaan and mga pamilya ng ating SAF 44,” he added./PN
