MANILA – The Sandiganbayan could now proceed with the Mamasapano encounter trial after the Supreme Court (SC) lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) on the proceedings.
SC public information office chief Brian Keith Hosaka said the High Court justices voted to lift the TRO on the Mamasapano trial on Tuesday.
“Upon verification with the Chief Justice, I would like to confirm that the SC lifted the TRO on the Mamasapano trial before the Sandiganbayan,” Hosaka said.
The lifting of the TRO could lead to a possible withdrawal of the graft and usurpation of authority charges against former president Benigno Aquino III by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.
Incumbent Ombudsman Samuel Martires earlier moved for the withdrawal of the graft and usurpation charges against Aquino, saying there was no sufficient ground and evidence.
Aquino is facing graft and usurpation charges in connection to the Jan. 25, 2015 police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which resulted to the deaths of more than 60 people, including 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF).
Aside from Aquino, also charged were former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr.
The 44 PNP-SAF commandos were killed by a combined force of Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and members of other rebel groups in an operation to get terrorist Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir also known as “Marwan.”
Aquino was charged as he allegedly allowed Purisima to take part in the planning of the operation even if he had been suspended by then-Ombudsman Morales over his alleged involvement in an anomalous government contract with courier firm Werfast.
Aquino denied the anti-terrorism mission, blaming Napeñas for allegedly disobeying orders to coordinate with the Philippine Army./PN
