15 senators approve report holding Aquino responsible
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Fifteen senators signed the draft committee report on the investigation into the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao as of Wednesday afternoon.
Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Committee on Public Order, said that a majority of the senators have signed the report. The document holds President Benigno Aquino III among those accountable for botched anti-terror mission that claimed the lives of 44 elite policemen.
Senators who have signed the report as of press time are:
- Sen. Grace Poe
- Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero
- Sen. Sergio Osmena III
- Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Jr.
- Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
- Sen. Aquilinio "Koko" Pimentel III
- Sen. Nancy Binay
- Sen. Ralph Recto
- Sen. Pia Cayetano
- Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (detained)
- Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan II
- Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. (detained)
- Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III
- Sen. Jose Victor "JV" Ejercito
Poe said only 13 signatures are needed for the 129-page investigation report released Tuesday.
Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, meanwhile, have sent word vowing they will also affix their signatures to the report.
DOCUMENT: Senate report on the Mamasapano clash
After five public hearings and several closed-door executive sessions, the panel tagged Aquino who "approved Oplan Exodus with full knowledge of its operational details."
"The chief executive is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the mission," it stated.
Aquino should also account for the "unlawful participation" of his longtime friend, suspended police chief Director General Alan Purisima, the report said.
The report also recommended criminal charges against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other armed individuals for the "massacre."
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