NBI-BARMM to probe ambush of witness in Maguindanao massacre

The National Bureau of Investigation’s office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (NBI-BARMM) is expected to conduct the investigation on the latest ambush against a witness in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre that resulted in the death of a security officer of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Pag ganoon sa regional kasi mayroon silang kapa doon sa area (Usually it is assigned to an NBI regional office because they has knowledge of the area),” said NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin.

Lavin said the case could be assigned to the NBI-BARMM under Regional Director Arnold Rosales.

“Pwede yan i-augment kung malaking kaso talaga (It can be augmented by other NBI offices if it a a big case),” said the NBI spokesman.

At the moment, Lavin said NBI-BARMM is waiting for the directive that will come from the office of NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor.

This week Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued Department

Order No. 143 which ordered the NBI to investigate the June 3 ambush of witness Mohammad Sangki in Tantangan, South Cotabato and file charges against those involved.

Sangki is a vital witness in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre and has been placed under the DOJ’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP).

WPSBP intelligence and security officer Richard Escobilla was killed in the June 3 ambush.

Last December 19, Judge Jocelyn Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 promulgated a decision which found guilty beyond reasonable doubt 28 persons including members of the Ampatuan clan for 57 counts of murder.

On the other hand, the court has yet to conclude the trial of 80 accused in the case including those who remain at large.

The case ruled by Reyes concerns the November 23, 2009 killings in Ampatuan, Maguindanao where 57 persons were killed including 32 journalists.

Those killed were part of a convoy accompanying the group

of then Buluan town Vice Mayor and now Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu to register

his name for the 2010 gubernatorial election.

The case is considered the worst

media killing as well as worst election-related killing in Philippine history.