Poe not yet satisfied with Mamasapano hearings

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe on Monday admitted that despite three Senate hearings held last week, there are still questions that need to be answered regarding the Mamasapano clash.

"Marami na tayong natanong, marami nang nasagot pero inaamin namin na marami pa ring kulang," Poe said in an interview with GMA News.

Poe cited three factors that are still lacking on the Senate inquiry: the MILF committee report, the issue of foreign involvement on the operation and resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima's answer whether he informed President Benigno Aquino III about the events in Mamasapano, Maguindanao during the day of the encounter.

The MILF conducted its own investigation on the bloody encounter last January 25 which led to the death of 44 police commandos.

"Unang-una ay committee report ng MILF. Kung saka-sakaling meron silang partial committee report gusto na nating matanggap yan," Poe said.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon earlier claimed that the United States (US) government is behind the operation against arresting terrorists Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman.

Ridon said that secret embassy cables revealed by WikiLeaks in 2010 showed that the US funded the Philippines' counter-terrorism efforts.

READ: Wikileaks shows US funded Mamasapano operation - solon

"Meron tayong tinatawag na kalayaan o sovereignty kaya titignan natin kung naaayon ba ito sa ating mga sinalihan na treaty o pagkakasundo sa ibang bansa," Poe commented on the possible foreign involvement in the operation.

During the Senate hearing last Thursday, Purisima refused to answer whether he informed the President of the events in Mamasapano during the day of the encounter.

Purisima asked the Senate panel if he may seek clearance from Aquino first before answering the question, which Poe approved.

The senator added that she does not want to prolong the Senate investigation as it may be seen as a "political show."

"Maaaring hindi lahat sabay-sabay lalabas yan pero hindi naman natin pwedeng basta na lang tapusin pero ayoko rin naman na yung isang pagdinig ay mapupunta lamang sa mga bagay-bagay na hindi naman talaga naaangkop sa aming imbestigasyon," Poe explained.

Poe headed three Senate hearings on the Mamasapano clash last week.

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