90 To Be Charged Over Mamasapano Massacre

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 90 people will be facing criminal charges over the Mamasapano Massacre that shed 44 lives.

DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima said on Thursday that 90 people, including the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters (BFF) and private armed group are recommended to criminally charged for the Mamasapano blood bath.

De Lima said the result of the initial findings along showed clear and comprehensive tallies of people who are responsible for the bloody clash.

She added that a “third party” witness identified only as “Marathon” helped the NBI-NPS team to gather necessary information for the first part of the investigation noting that he is now under a witness protection program.

She also called for the MILF to cooperate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Services (NPS) for the completion of the probe’s findings.

The DOJ was also able to talk to more eyewitnesses to the Mamasapano firefight, including one who can identify MILF members, as well as those from its breakaway group, the BIFF, and other private armed groups in Maguindanao.

They also looked for the statement of PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone survivor from the 55th Special Action Company that had a clash with MILF.

“We hope that they would now give us access to the witnesses and families ng mga victims nila [sa MILF] and also ng civilians pa ma-file-an din ng kaso iyong mga found responsible,” said De Lima.