MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III admitted on Monday that the "alternative version" of the Mamasapano incident that is being investigated may be "totally false" after all.
In an interview with reporters in Iloilo, Aquino denied saying that the "alternative version" being pursued was the truth.
"Gusto kong idiin, hindi kami nagsasabi nitong 'alternative version' ay sigurado na kami itong totoo," Aquino said. "We are not discounting the possibility na baka totally false 'yung alternative version."
Aquino revealed in a media forum last week that there is an alternative version of events in the Mamasapano incident that is "undergoing very intense scrutiny."
Aquino said the government is looking for witnesses who could prove or disprove "certain observations."
He said over 100 people will be indicted over the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who clashed with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during an anti-terror operation in January.
"'Yung official ba na kinuwento ng SAF ang talagang lahat na nangyari, kumpleto? Itong 'alternative' ba ang mas kumpleto or may idadagdag doon sa tinatawag na 'narrative'? Aquino said this morning.
"Puwede bang parehong mali at merong pangatlong version? Hindi rin kami nagsasara ng kaisipan na baka itong 'alternative' ay pampagulo lang sa usapan," he added.
Aquino declined to comment when asked if the alternative version of the Mamasapano incident includes the possibility that the subject of the SAF operation, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, was killed by his men and not by the elite policemen.
"Kapag magsasalita pa ako tungkol ng anumang detalye diyan, para bang may pinapanigan na ako na version; at ang dulo nga nito, maraming inatasan ang ahensiya para magtulong-tulong para mahanap natin ‘yung ebidensiya at saka 'yung testimonya," he said.
The president, however, also refused to reveal details regarding the leads being pursued.
"Kapag magsasabi naman ako kung saan kami nakatutok pagkuha ‘nung ebidensiya, pagkuha ‘nung testimonya, ay para bang nilagyan ko na rin ng bull's eye itong mga hinahanap nating testigo," he said. - Louis Bacani