MANILA, Feb. 26 (PNA) – The House Ad Hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on Thursday decided to postponed anew the resumption of hearing, which was scheduled March 3, after the Board of Inquiry asked for a week extension to finish their investigation.
The panel chairman and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the resumption focused on the official investigation report of the BOI on what to do to the remaining provisions which still hanged on the air after majority of the members of the committee expressed dismay to support the measure.
“I do not think we can get the needed numbers for the measure because a big number of members express apprehension to BBL. MILF needs to show truthfulness that they are inclined to attain peace by showing their sincerity,” Rodriguez said in a chance interview.
Philippine National Police Officer in Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina announced that BOI asked for a week extension claiming its investigations were not completed yet.
Espina said that Police Director Wilfredo Magalong vowed to submit their final investigation and recommendation on March 6.
“We cannot convene on March 3 because the centerpiece of our discussion is the investigation report of the BOI. So we need to adjust and it is highly possible to do it on the following week,” Rodriguez said.
The Jan. 25 incident in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao took the lives of 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and four civilians.
The Department of Justice, Commission on Human Rights, the Senate, and the House of Representatives are also conducting separate investigations on the controversial clashes that erupted after police commandos killed international terrorist and bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in alleged MILF territory. (PNA)