DOJ names 5 National Prosecution Service members to probe Mamasapano incident

MANILA -- In line with the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima has designated five members of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to investigate and undertake case build-up on the Mamasapano incident.The incident claimed the lives of 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos on January 25 who conducted an operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to serve arrest warrants on two international terrorists including Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan. In Department Order No. 034 made public on Friday, De Lima constituted a Joint National Bureau of Investigation-NPS Special Investigation Team” to undertake such investigation and case build-up to be composed of investigators from the NBI.The members of the NPS are Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera Assistant State Prosecutor Irwin A. Maraya Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Paolo S. Santiago Assistant State Prosecutor Jocelyn T. Dugay and Assistant Prosecution Attorney Ethel Rea G. Suril.De Lima said the Joint Special Investigation Team shall conduct a thorough, in-depth and comprehensive investigation and case build-up under the supervision of the DOJ Secretary, in connection with the said incident, which resulted in deaths and injuries.The Team was mandated to evaluate the evidence gathered and recommend to the DOJ Secretary possible sources of action for the investigation in general as the same progresses.It was also mandated to seek the assistance and coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Municipality of Mamasapano and the Province of Maguindanao.The Team will prioritize the official reports of the PNP, AFP, OPAPP, MILF, Board of Inquiry, CHR and the PNP-Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).It will make regular reports directly to the DOJ Secretary and submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including for the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative charges against those who may be found responsible.The said report will be submitted to the DOJ Secretary within a period of 60 days from Feb. 2, 2015. (PNA)FPV/PTR/EDS