DOJ issues 2nd Mamasapano report, no charges vs SAF killers

MANILA, Philippines - No charges will be filed against the killers of nine Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (SAF) commandos due to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and National Prosecution Service (NPS) special investigation team's failure to identify suspects, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday.

The NBI-NPS special investigation team released its second report on the Mamasapano incident last January 25.

According to the DOJ, the investigation team failed to find a credible witness that would identify those who were responsible for the killing of nine SAF commandos in Barangay Pidsandawan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"Hence, no criminal prosecution may be recommended by the team since the identity of those responsible were not established," the DOJ said in its official Twitter account.

The DOJ noted that certain walk-in individuals attempted to muddle the investigation by presenting an "alternative version" of the events in Mamasapano.

The NBI and NPS earlier filed charges of direct assault and murder against 90 individuals in connection to the death of 35 SAF commandos in Brgy. Tukalanipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Among the 90 identified respondents, 26 are members of the MILF, 12 are BIFF and 52 are from private armed groups.

Last Tuesday, the DOJ formed a panel that would look into the charges against the suspects responsible for the death of the said police commandos.