Poe vows to block political grandstanding in Mamasapano probe reopening

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PNA) - Senator Grace Poe vowed to block any effort to discredit the Aquino administration and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas in the reopening of the Mamasapano clash probe.

Poe assured not to grill Roxas if if ever he will be invited to the Senate inquiry. She vowed not to initiate any move to invite the ruling party presidential bet to the probe.

“Why should I call (former Secretary Roxas) to appear in the inquiry?” Poe, the chairperson of the Senate committee on public order asked during a press briefing here Thursday afternoon.

“But if he is asked to appear, I will inhibit to ask questions, but I will ensure that this hearing will remain faithful to its purpose, orderly, fair and free from grandstanding.”

Poe, who is Roxas’ rival in the 2016 presidential race, said that it was Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile who pushed for the reopening of the probe. Majority of the Senate members approved the request, according to Poe.

The reopening of the probe seeks to give a clearer picture on what really happened during the police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that killed 60 people, including 44 elite policemen.

Enrile was on hospital arrest in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam when the Senate conducted its investigation last year.

“Senators will be given equal time, but I will not allow them to use the inquiry for their personal gains,” said Poe.

Poe’s remark is in response to the statement of Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, an administration ally, who said that the reopening of the investigation on the clash is a move to drag down the popularity of President Benigno Aquino III and in the process derail the campaign of Roxas.

Roxas was the secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government when members of of the police Special Action Force (SAF) had an encounter with members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Roxas is running under ruling Liberal Party while Poe is an independent candidate.

In surveys, Poe has been consistent to be one of the top contenders for the presidency while Roxas trails behind his opponents.

Poe said that she is already satisfied with the information presented to them during their inquiry last year and even on the explanation of Roxas that he was not aware of the operation of SAF against the Moro fighters.

Poe admitted that she was saddened with this move to reopen the case because she had been fair when her committee conducted hearing for Mamasapano case.

The committee, after the inquiry release Committee Report No. 120 signed by 21 senators, which states that President Aquino was the ultimate responsible for the death of 44 SAF personnel who were ambushed by Muslim rebel members.

The incident also resulted in the death of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hai alias Marwan, who has a bounty worth USD5 million and listed by the US government as one of the most wanted terrorists in the world. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO AND ROEL T. AMAZONA