The congressional inquiry into the Mamasapano encounter resumes today with at least 30 congressmen registering their intention to question 46 invited resource persons and witnesses in the next two days.
Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, chairman of the House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, one of the committees conducting the investigation, said they will not allow emotions to prevail at the resumption of probe.
Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer is chairman of the other investigating panel, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
The House leadership assured yesterday that the two-day Mamasapano probe would zero in on evidence and not on emotions.
According to Hataman, some relatives and family members of the slain police commandos are expected to attend the Mamasapano hearing today, along with other government officials — Cabinet and police and military officials.
“Kung mayroon intensyon ang iba na gamitin ang venue na ito para mag-stir lalo ng emotions at maka-contribute doon sa sensitivity ng Mamasapano, di natin papayagan,” Hataman said.
Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. also assured that they will conduct the probe in a “more orderly” manner.
Included in the list of House panels’ resource persons today are Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles, Philippine National Police (PNP) OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, former PNP Chief Alan Purisma, relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command; Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the Philippine Amy 6th Infantry Division, Board of Inquiry chairman Director Benjamin Magalong, and Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chairman of the Government of the Philippines Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH).
Manila Bulletin
