Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Almost a year before the first anniversary of the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, the case against those allegedly involved in the killing of 35 police commandos in a cornfield in that farming town in Maguindanao province was submitted for resolution on Thursday (January 14).
Of the 90 respondents, including members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and other private armed groups, only four submitted counter affidavits.
Meanwhile, nobody has been charged for the deaths of the nine other Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were killed near the hut of Marwan, the Malaysian terrorist who was one of two targets of the commando operation. Marwan was killed in the operation.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel conducting the criminal investigation is expected to come up with a resolution on whether there is if there’s a finding of probable cause to indict those responsible in court.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also submitted an inventory of the firearms and other police gear allegedly stolen from the slain commandos. The missing items include rifles, handheld radios, binoculars, tactical helmet and vest.
Assistant State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez declined to say when the Justice Department panel is expected to resolve the case.
“What the panel can commit is that we shall expedite the resolution of these cases or the case,” Suarez said.
