Duterte hits PNoy, orders fast probe

On the eve of the second anniversary of the Mamasapano massacre, President Rodrigo Duterte took a hit on former President Benigno Aquino III for feeding the cops to a lion’s den.

He said the training of Special Action Force (SAF) is for urban combat.

Speaking to the families of the 44 SAF commandos killed in Mamasapano, Duterte said Aquino could have admitted that he was the one who ordered the operation to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan instead of depending too much on former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.

Duterte has reopened the investigation into the incident.

Duterte said the government is bound to provide answers and justice to the families of the SAF commandos.

“All of these investigations, unfortunately, left a void. Maraming issues na hanging unless we address the issues and find the reasons why then makakapahinga na ang mga pamilya ng SAF 44,” the president said.

“Otherwise they will bring to their grave the hurt and agony that they had to endure losing a husband, father or brother,” he added.

Duterte will form a commission that will be composed of justices and private lawyers with “integrity and honor.”

“I will create a commission of seven. I will appoint men of integrity and honor. Kung tanggapin nila, I will choose mostly justices of the Supreme Court and few of the civilian sector, maybe a lawyer. Ayoko mag-recommend ng kilala ko,” Duterte said.

“They will be independent in all aspects. They are free to summon… As the president, we will bestow to the commission the powers exactly given to the Agrava commission. Maybe I will just give them, ready naman lahat ‘yan, nandiyan na iyong papel at the end of the year then we can have the truth,” he added.

Duterte reopened the investigation two years since the bloody incident happened.

He also said that all of the SAF44 will be granted a Medal of Valor, the highest military honor.

In Cebu, Michelle Candano, the widow of Police Officer 1 Windel Candano, remains optimistic and confident that they will finally achieve the justice they have yearned for two years.

"Yes, justice would be served. In God's will, maayo unta ihatag gyud namo, she says.

Candano served as the medic and driver of the SAF commandos at the time of their mission in Mamasapano.

Michelle further shares they are also looking forward to the most awaited awarding of medal of valor to the rest of the slain troopers.

It could be remembered that Aquino conferred the Medalya ng Kagitingan only to Sr. Insp. Gednat Tabdi and PO2 Romeo Cempron in recognition of their extraordinary courage in battling guerrillas belonging to the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The medal of valor is the highest award for the uniformed service.