Probe result on 9 seaborne troopers: “More frustrating,” says police commando’s wife

CEBU, Philippines - Results of the government’s investigation into the January 25 Mamasapano encounter that was announced yesterday have left the widow of Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron sighing in frustration.

“If I were them, mas frustrating. Disappointed, Okay na unta bisa’g usa,” said Christine Cempron, referring to the bereaved families of the nine SAF commandos from the 84th Seaborne Company.

Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, in a press conference yesterday, said they cannot file any charges yet over the death of the nine 84th Seaborne commandos since there was no eyewitness who could possibly identify the armed men who were behind their killing.

The nine 84th Seaborne commandos were among the 44 PNP-SAF troopers who were killed in an operation against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.

Cempron, a native of Consolacion, Cebu, was among the 35 other SAF commandos who belonged to the 55th Special Action Company.

It was last September when the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Prosecution Service filed charges of complex crime of direct assault with murder, and theft against 90 individuals who were tagged in their deaths.

De Lima also clarified that they cannot conclude that those suspects in the deaths of the 35 SAF commandos could not be tagged as also responsible for those slain members of the 84th Seaborne.

Christine wished the families themselves can conduct investigation on their own and even file charges for their slain loved ones. 

“How I wish we can do it pero hangad sa langit na lang g’yud ta ani with matching buntong-hini-nga. Pait kaayo,” she said.

Christine shared to The FREEMAN that she is still grieving the loss of her husband. What makes it painful, she added, is the thought that the Christmas celebration is fast approaching, but her husband is not around anymore.

“Struggle kaayo. Everybody would be excited before kay kada Pasko ra man sila sure nga makauli sa ilang mga pamilya sa tibuok tuig. But now, not anymore. Di na gyud nimo ma-feel ang excitement,” she said, adding that she just keeps herself busy in her work as a pediatrician.

Meanwhile, Michelle Candano, wife of slain Police Officer 1 Windel Candano from Dumanjug, Cebu, refused to comment on the latest findings of the DOJ.

But both Christine and Michelle said the justice department or anyone from the national government has not kept in touch with them since, especially on the progress of their pending cases.

“Dira ra mi makahibawo kun mangutana na ang media sa among comment,” Christine said.  (FREEMAN)