Aquino cites 'politics' in Mamasapano probe reopening

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III criticized on Friday the move to reopen the Senate investigation into the killing of police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, citing politics and publicity as motives.

In an interview with reporters in Davao City, Aquino alluded to the administration's political rivals whom he says pushed for the resumption of the probe in an attempt to implicate him in the tragedy.

"I think with all these occurrences, I can see the big role of politics," Aquino said after the inauguration of the 300-megawatt Davao Baseload Power Plant in Toril town.

"Perhaps, we should not forget who pushed for it, maybe we can understand, most likely ill feelings towards my administration," he added.

A total of 44 elite police officers were killed in an encounter with members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and armed groups in an anti-terrorist operation in Mamasapano in January last year. Aquino was tagged as among those who ordered the botched mission to arrest international terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his cohort Basit Usman.

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, charged with plunder for the pork barrel scam, requested the reopening of the inquiry, the first of which was held in January 2015. The 91-year-old Enrile was in detention when the Senate conducted in February last year.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee of public order and a presidential candidate running against administration bet Manuel Roxas II, agreed with Enrile's request and set another round of inquiry into the incident on January 25, the first anniversary of the 44 SAF commandos' deaths.

Aquino dismissed the move as an opportunity as added publicity for those behind the inquiry.

"We all know that the campaign period is coming soon. Among our opponents, they see that this has been the greatest burden I have had since I took office. Perhaps, they are trying to take this opportunity," Aquino said.

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The president also expressed disappointment that the probe is set on the same day as the birthday of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

"As president and father of this nation, I can't let my emotions take over here... [but] it's like they are insisting that you must suffer here. Now, there is a saying, we can see it in the teachings of the church that I belong to, in the Bible, 'The truth shall set us all free'," Aquino said.

The president, however, also said another leg in the investigation may provide a more complete picture on the incident. — Camille Diola