MANILA, Philippines - Chief government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has cautioned Justice Secretary Leila de Lima against issuing “tidbits of information” to the media on the agency’s ongoing probe of Mamasapano clash.
Speaking to reporters during a break in the conflict reporting seminar in Mabini, Batangas organized over the weekend by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), Coronel said it would be better for the DOJ to wait until the termination of its probe before releasing any information.
The DOJ said it intends to finish the probe by April 2.
“If nasa kamay na ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) o DOJ let us wait and see how they will pull together all the different evidence. We might as well wait for the results of the investigation para 'di na tayo nadi-disorient,” said Ferrer.
Ferrer in particular, lashed at the DOJ for releasing information that it has in its custody a key witness, which it said, could identify the fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who took part in the clash which ended in the death of 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos and 18 MILF fighters.
“We really need prudence in how these tidbits of information are coming out. Especially because may security considerations ka dyan. This might unnecessarily endanger certain individuals at the same time the biases and the misinformation are reinforced,” Ferrer said.
“First of all premature ang release ng information. Second, it might endanger the life of the witness. The primary responsibility is to protect your witness,” Ferrer added.
De Lima earlier confirmed to reporters having in the DOJ’s custody a key witness who has reportedly identified the MILF fighters involved in the clash. She however said the Justice Department is still vetting the accuracy of the witness’ claims. She added they are also counterchecking with the MILF the information given by the witness.
De Lima also declined to confirm if the key witness who is now in their custody is a fighter of the MILF.
“That is in fact, part of the vetting. Kung talaga bang nandun o kung talagang kasama sya dun. We have to be doubly careful also in taking their word immediately as Gosple truth. So kaya mahirap magconfirm,” De Lima earlier told reporters.