‘Just, accurate’ findings on blasts vowed

DAVAO CITY — The presidential commission tasked to investigate the alleged involvement of the Armed Forces in the bombings that struck this city early this year, vowed it would come up with "substantial, accurate and just" findings.

Leaders of the so-called "Magdalo group," which staged the failed July 27 mutiny in Makati City, alleged that the military, particularly former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus, had a hand in the blasts that left 39 people dead and over 200 others wounded.

The five-man commission, headed by Sta. Ana parish priest Pedro Maniwang, said it is winding up its investigation, after which it will immediately submit its findings to President Arroyo.

Acting Justice Secretary Jose Calida is one of the members of the panel, which Malacañang created last Sept. 19 under Administrative Order No. 84.

At least 17 witnesses, including Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, appeared before the panel in a series of hearings held here last month. Daniel Galapon, former Region 11 chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), was one of those who testified.

As part of its inquiry, the commission inspected the blast sites at the Davao International Airport, the entrance of the passenger terminal of the Sasa wharf and the four mosques that were bombed last April 3.

In a press statement, the panel said it is now validating all pieces of evidence and finalizing the results of its hearings here and in Manila.

An assessment of the initial report has reportedly been presented to the Office of the President but shall only be disclosed if the entire investigation is completed to avoid any misleading conclusions.