SAF 44 kin won’t testify vs Aquino

MANILA — Families of the Special Action Force policemen killed in the 2015 Mamasapano incident Thursday said they will not participate in the cases initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman against former President Benigno Aquino III.

“As a sign of disgust and protest, the SAF 44 parents and the VACC (Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption) will not participate in the sham proceedings initiated by Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan. Instead, we shall continue to pursue the attainment of justice for the 44 heroes,” Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of SAF 44 kin said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan one count each of graft and usurpation of official functions against Aquino in connection with the Jan. 25, 2015 Mamasapano incident.

The ombudsman recommended to the Sandiganbayan to set Aquino's bail bond at P30,000 for the graft case and P10,000 for the usurpation case.

The cases are set to be raffled off on Friday to determine which among the seven divisions of the Sandiganbayan that will handle them.

It is only after the raffling of cases that Aquino may post his bail bond before the concerned court division. An accused may post bail even before the court determines if there is probable cause to order his or her arrest.

In a text message to reporters, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said Aquino's cases “will be treated the same as all other cases.”

“No spokesperson will be designated for the purpose,” Tang said.

Topacio questioned the timing of the ombudsman's filing of the cases against Aquino.

Topacio pointed out that the VACC, representing two mothers of the slain SAF troopers just filed before the Supreme Court a petition for certiorari seeking the reversal of the ombudsman June 13, 2017 resolution ordering the filing of graft and usurpation cases against Aquino.

It can be remembered that the VACC, representing the families of the SAF 44, originally filed a complaint of 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Aquino, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas Jr. in connection with the Mamasapano incident.