The Department of Justice is now investigating the Jan. 25 encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that killed 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) and 17 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The DOJ was directed to investigate the matter based on the order of President Aquino to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
De Lima said the DOJ is focusing on a “case build-up” for the possible filing of cases against those who would be found to be liable and responsible for the incident.
De Lima has already directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to further investigate the various pieces of evidence in the case for the possible filing of cases.
De Lima said the DOJ would be closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police and with the Board of Inquiry (BOI).
“And of course, we will not be precluded also from gathering evidence so as to help in the case build-up,” she said.
She also denied allegations that the DOJ was ready to file cases against certain personalities.
“I don’t know where it is coming from dahil mag-uusap pa lang kami with the BOI and the PNP,” De Lima said.
She said the PNP and the BOI are taking the statements of the surviving SAF members and other possible witnesses of the incident in Mamasapano.