Let the law take its due course: GPH Peace Panel Chair Ferrer on Mamasapano case

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): Let the law take its due course: GPH Peace Panel Chair Ferrer on Mamasapano case

With the murder charges filed against 90 suspects in connection with the Mamasapano incident, Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said to “let the law take its due course alongside the bigger reforms.”

In a statement, Ferrer assured that any “untoward incident” that might arise from the issuance of the subpoena to identified suspects affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be prevented through the joint cooperation of the government ceasefire mechanism and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to conduct preliminary investigations on charges of direct assault with murder against the 90 identified respondents; however, the issuance of subpoenas will be done discreetly so that these alleged suspects will not be able to go into hiding.

To recall, the GPH-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) had assisted the DOJ team in conducting the site visit and interviews as part of its investigation on the Mamasapano incident.

Furthermore, the CCCH, with the assistance of some local government officials, responded immediately to cease the fighting and retrieve the corpses from all sides, including civilians, at the scene in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano on that eventful day of January 25.

“Let the judicial process take its due course for the benefit of all those who were aggrieved,” said Ferrer.

Aside from the promise of justice, Ferrer said that they find solace in the various forms of assistance provided and healing initiatives initiated by both government and nongovernmental groups.

She also stressed to continue pushing for the bigger reforms.

“At the same time, let not the bigger project of putting in place the reformed institutions in the Bangsamoro through the passage of a good basic law and the implementation of the different normalization programs fall on the wayside,” Ferrer said.

“More than ever, the bigger reform agenda must be realized in order to sustain the peace, prevent further bloodshed, and achieve all-around social justice without further delay in Muslim Mindanao,” she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=807414