Poe mulls reopening of Mamasapano probe

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs is mulling the reopening of the probe on the encounter between police commandos and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Forty-four members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (SAF) were killed in the clash.

“In light of President Aquino’s revelation the other day that he was pursuing a new lead on the Mamasapano debacle, we are considering reopening the probe in the Senate regarding the incident,” Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

Poe is the chairman of the public order panel that released the partial committee report, which found President Aquino “ultimately responsible” for the tragedy.

Poe said she shares the sentiment of the bereaved families of the slain SAF commandos and those who survived the operation aimed at neutralizing suspected international terrorists Basit Usman and Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Marwan was killed in the operation.

“I am interested to hear what this alternative version is all about and allow the men and officers involved to give their own assessments,” Poe told reporters in a text message, adding that what everybody wants to know is the truth.