Solon: Aquino creating ‘alternative truth’ on Mamasapano

MANILA, Philippines – A women’s party lawmaker said President Benigno Aquino III floated the idea of an “alternative truth” from the probe on the Mamasapano incident for convenience and accommodation of electoral bids.

“Different versions of the truth are being created to protect interests or probably accommodate electoral bids. Who stands to benefit most from these attempts to cover-up what actually happened in Mamasapano? Certainly not those whose kin were killed in the operations,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said.

Ilagan lamented that the Aquino administration is evading the conclusion of the probe on the Mamasapano incident even if there were several investigations conducted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Philippine National Police and both houses of Congress, among others.

She alleged that Aquino’s alternative truth is a cover-up.

“What is the truth that suits your interests? Creating different truths for convenience spawns injustice, impunity. Aquino’s (alternative) truth is tantamount to a cover-up. If this government is intent on pursuing justice for those who died in Mamasapano then there can be no (alternative) truth from what actually happened,” she said.

The solon also cited that their party went to Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, spoke with the people on ground and gave their report.

“The trouble with refusing to accept proof or evidence of the tragic incident even if it is staring at you in the eye is that different versions will keep on surfacing. A convenient truth will never set us free,” Ilagan said.

Ilagan also claimed that the Mamasapano operation was an initiative of the United States government (US) and proved her allegations citing video footage of retrieval of casualties which include a Caucasian male.

“It was an operation initiated and directed by the US government and Aquino, commander in chief of the armed forces and the police force not only allowed foreign military incursion, he also appointed a suspended official to lead the operation to conveniently evade accountability,“ she said

Last January 25, the Mamasapano clash led to the death of 67 members of the police force, MILF rebels and civilians.