• The DOJ ordered the filing of criminal charges against 88 people involved in the murder of SAF troopers during the Mamasapano clash last year
• The respondents were members of the M.I.L.F, B.I.F.F. and other private armed groups
• The case was only for the 35 SAF troopers killed in the cornfield in Barangay Tukanalipao
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of criminal charges against 88 people involved in the killing of 35 of the 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers last year during an anti-terror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
In the 55-page resolution it issued on Monday, August 15, the Justice Department charged Commanders Abdulrahman Abdulrakman Upan, Rakman, Refy Guiaman, Anife and Haumves alias Haves, operation commander of the 105th MILF Base Command and 83 others with complex crime of direct assault with murder.
As mentioned in a Sun Star story, the case was only intended for the death of 35 SAF commandos killed in the cornfield in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Mindanao. The case in relation to the death of nine other PNP-SAF troopers was not filed “for lack of witnesses.” The nine police officers were killed in the nipa hut in Barangay Pinsandawan while neutralizing terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir, alias Marwan.
The testimonies of the star witness identified by his code name “Marathon” and 11 others were upheld by the DOJ.
“We find the statements of the witnesses communicated a credible account on the occurrences they perceived on that indelible day of January 25, 2015. Their categorical statements augur well for a finding of probable cause for direct assault with murder,” the DOJ resolution stated.
Post a Comment