Mamasapano incident, a campaign issue that cannot be avoided – solons

The Aquino administration has cautioned candidates against using the Mamasapano incident as a political issue against it.

But the government’s handling of the Mamasapano bloodbath as an election issue for and against the Daang Matuwid team cannot be avoided once candidates get on the campaign trail next year.

Appearing at the weekly Ugnayan Forum, senatorial candidates Reps. Sherwin Gatchalian (NPC, Valenzuela City) and Roman Romulo (Independent, Pasig City) said whether or not justice was given those who were killed in Mamasapano will spark political debates during the campaign.

“This is a national concern that must be discussed thoroughly. We should stick to the facts and these should come from the findings of various probe bodies that investigated the incident,” said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian, vice chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said the filing of charges and arrest of those behind the Mamasapano carnage is imperative.

“The issue should not be used politically but this cannot be avoided. The public must know the truth,” said Romulo.

Gatchalian and Romulo believe that unless justice is given to the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, closure about the may be far-fetched.

Both Romulo and Gatchalian agreed that the House of Representatives must release to the public the results of the legislative inquiry into the Mamasapano killings that was conducted jointly by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on Peace and Reconciliation.

This stand has gained the support of senior administration lawmakers who stressed that immediate public disclosure of the joint House panel inquiry will help resolve many questions raised about the incident.

Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao and Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said the Lower House “owes it” to both the public and the families of the slain SAF men to release the result s of the probe.

“I think the report matters not only to the fallen policemen but to the public at large. Hence it should be released post haste,” stated Aggabao.

The Senate has already released the result of its inquiry into what transpired in Mamasapano last January and the House probe is the only report that has not been released to the public six months after it terminated its probe.

The House joint panel owes it to our people to inform them of its findings in the spirit of transparency and accountability in public service and to bring to justice those responsible for the massacre of SAF 44,” Batocabe said.

“I do not want to think that the previous raucous and passionate hearings of the panel were not but rice puffing designed for a show,” he added.

Batocabe said the House leadership should prevent insinuations of a cover-up by pressing the two committees to come up with its conclusion as soon as possible.