EDITORIAL - A year of waiting for justice

He himself, President Aquino said, was getting impatient with the pace of justice for the 44 commandos of the police Special Action Force who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25 last year. The President issued the statement as he joined relatives of the fallen SAF 44 in remembering the dead yesterday.

The Department of Justice, which is handling the investigation of the deaths, is under the executive, so the President can prod the DOJ chief to speed up the probe. Admittedly, this is a complex case, with the involvement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and a private armed group in mowing down the SAF men who went after two top terrorists in Mamasapano. Investigation was also further slowed down with two changes of leadership in the DOJ within just four months.

But it looks like probers have identified those involved, although DOJ officials have withheld the names pending their capture or surrender. Neither the MILF nor the BIFF is inclined to surrender any member, so authorities must apprehend the suspects.

Harboring terrorists and killing police officers in the process are not part of the Islamic separatist cause. The DOJ has reportedly invited the suspects for questioning, with the summonses coursed through the MILF. If those summoned ignore the chance to explain their side, they can still be indicted in court. Arrest warrants can be issued and they can be tried in absentia.

Tomorrow the Senate is set to reopen its inquiry into the circumstances that led to the deaths of the SAF 44. The revival of the probe threatens to further derail the peace process, which has been one of the casualties of the tragedy. Seeing justice being done can move the process along, and help the nation move on.