PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is mulling to re-open the investigation on the bungled Mamasapano operation, the bloody encounter between government forces and rebels that took place last January 25, 2015.
At the Philippines-China Trade and Investment Forum held in China on Thursday, October 20, Duterte said he wants to know the whole truth about the Mamasapano incident.
"Maybe in the days ahead, I will order the opening of that issue again, not really to prosecute people but just to know what happened," Duterte said.
During the Mamasapano clash, the Special Action Force (SAF) launched an operation against terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Abdul Basit Usman but it resulted in an encounter with Moro rebels. The incident left 66 individuals dead, including Marwan.
"Who got the $5 million, whether that tip of the finger of Marwan was gotten by the Special Forces of the United States or was it really brought to the forensic division in Crame? These are the lies imposed upon the people, which is not good," the President said.
In a committee report released by the Senate after conducting a probe, former President Benigno Aquino III was found "ultimately" responsible for the botched operation.
In August, Duterte said the failed operation was a "question of greed" just to get the $5-million bounty for the head of Marwan. (Sunnex)
