Senate: Nothing new in Mamasapano probe

Bea Cupin

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Senate: Nothing new in Mamasapano probe

Alecs Ongcal

Senator Grace Poe says they will not revise their report on the deadly Mamasapano clash

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing changes.

After a 7-hour hearing to reinvestigate the controversial “Oplan Exodus,” Senator Grace Poe said nothing would change in the draft committee report released a year ago. 

Sinikap natin, binigyan natin ng pagkakataon si Senator Enrile na malinawan ang mga nangyari noong January 25, 2015. Sa tingin ko nabigyan natin siya ng sapat na panahon para tanungin ang mga gusto niyang itanong. Tayo naman nakapagtanong din pero sa tingin ko wala namang naiibang maaaring magpabago pa sa committee report natin sa puntong ito,” Poe said on Wednesday, January 27, to conclude her committee’s probe into an ill-fated police operation that claimed the lives of more than 60 people, including 44 elite cops. 

(We tried and gave Senator Juan Ponce Enrile a chance to be enlightened as to what happened on January 25, 2015. I think we gave him enough time to ask questions. I was also able to ask but I think nothing will change in the committee report at this point.) 

“Oplan Exodus” was a Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF)-led operation to neutralize terrorists wanted by both the Philippines and the United States. While the SAF troopers were able to get one of their targets, the operation triggered clashes between police and Muslim rebels in the area. 

At least 3 civilians, 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, and 44 SAF troopers died during the day-long clashes. 

Marami tayong mga napagusapan ngunit iyan ay napagusapan na rin. Binigyan lang namin ng respeto at pagkakataon ang isang Senador na magtanong dahil wala siya noong unang mga pagdinig. Subalit kung titingnan natin ang mga basehan ng sagot ngayon, wala naman talagang mga nasabi na maaaring magpalit ng aming committee report. Pero, nalinawan ang mga bagay na ito,” added Poe in a chance interview with reporters after the hearing. 

(We talked about a lot of things but those were already discussed before. We gave one senator a chance to ask because he wasn’t there when the hearings took place the first time. But if we look and base our decision on the answers today, there’s nothing that can make us change our committee report. But at least these things were further clarified.) 

It was Enrile, out on bail for supposedly abusing his pork barrel funds, who prompted the reopening of the case, citing “new evidence” that would pin down President Benigno Aquino III.

Enrile started the hearing by outlining 8 points that he said would prove Aquino’s failures in the planning, execution and aftermath of the clash. 

Security officials – former and current Cabinet secretaries as well as active and retired police and military generals – said they had no information on any stand down order from the President as the SAF troopers were pinned down.

The clash was one of the biggest controversies to hit the Aquino administration. The President’s ratings dipped to their lowest in its aftermath, amid allegations he was indifferent to the plight of the SAF troopers and as questions arose about his involvement and that of his friend, former PNP chief Alan Purisima.

It also derailed what would have been the smooth-sailing passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the result of peace negotiations between the Aquino government and the MILF. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Avatar photo

author

Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.