Roxas on Mamasapano probe: ‘I’m for transparency’

MANILA, Philippines – Administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II said on Saturday, January 9, he is ready to respond to questions at the re-opening of the probe into the Mamasapano encounter, if asked to appear before the Senate panel again.

“Hindi ako aatras sa kahit na anong imbestigasyon at ako ay para sa hayag na pagtingin sa lahat ng mga bagay (I will not back down from any investigation and I am for transparency in all things),” Roxas said in an interview with reporters in Romblon.

Roxas, who was interior secretary at the time of the controversial police operation, said that both houses of Congress had conducted separate investigations on Oplan Exodus, as well as the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice.

“So kung meron pang hindi naitanong, bukas tayong tumulong kung ipapatawag tayo para sagutin lahat ng itong mga katanungan (If there are questions that have yet to be asked, I’m open to help if I’m called to answer all these questions),” he said.

Roxas declined to comment on whether he believed the re-opening of the Senate investigation is politically-motivated, since it would be carried out by other aspirants in the 2016 elections, led by Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate commitee on public order.

“Well, hindi para sa akin ang magsabi niyan. Kayo na ang nagsasabi niyan, na politikal na ito pero kami naman, kung may itatanong e di sasagutin. Di ba? E wala naman tayong itinatago at kung ano man ang nais nilang tanungin ay wala namang problema,” he said.

(Well, it’s not for me to say that. You’re the ones saying that, that it’s politically motivated, but in our case, if there are questions, we will answer them. We have nothing to hide and we won’t have any problem with whatever they may wish to ask.)

On Friday, January 8, President Benigno Aquino III alleged that the re-opening of the probe was meant to “take advantage” of the “Oplan Exodus” controversy, which marks its first year anniversary on January 25. (READ: Political foes ‘taking advantage’ of Mamasapano probe – Aquino)

Oplan Exodus is a police operation that targeted terrorists wanted by both the Philippines and the United States in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao.