Ombudsman to resolve Mamasapano case before retirement
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales remains mum on the possible liability of former president Benigno Aquino III in the 2015 Mamasapano incident.
Morales though vowed to finish the investigation into the incident before she retires in 2018.
“As far as the complaints against Aquino are concerned, of course we have to investi- gate and to make an assess- ment if there is probable cause or ground to conduct preliminary investigation,” Morales told reporters on the sidelines of an awarding ceremony in Quezon City.
Morales stressed their investigation on the complaint against the former president is ongoing.
She said the field investigators must find sufficient ground before the Office of the Ombudsman can launch a formal preliminary investigation against Aquino.
The ombudsman had earlier recommended the filing of charges against former Philippine National Police ( PNP) chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napeñas Jr. in connection with the Mamasapano incident.
Morales affirmed the finding of probable cause against both respondents and directed the filing of graft and usurpation of authority charges against them before the Sandiganbayan.
The ombudsman noted Purisima’s active involvement and participation in Oplan Exodus, the mission to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his local confederate Basit Usman, who were hiding in a remote village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
The ombudsman earlier ordered Purisima placed under preventive suspension on Dec. 16, 2014, stemming from another graft case filed against him.
The ombudsman said Purisima violated the chain of command. This led to usurpation of official functions when he personally directed Oplan Exodus without authority from then acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina.
Insofar as Napeñas is concerned, his constant reporting to and official dealings with Purisima, notwithstanding the latter’s suspension and without the knowledge and approval of Espina, made him liable as a cohort of Purisima in usurping official functions.