MANILA, July 15 (PNA) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of murder and theft cases against two commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF), three commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 98 others for the death of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), 18 MILF members and six civilians in the Mamasapano incident last Jan. 25.
In a transmittal letter addressed to Prosecutor General Claro A. Arellano dated July 13, 2015 by the joint special team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service (NPS), the DOJ recommended that 103 individuals undergo preliminary investigation for complex crime of direct assault with murder.
Among the 102 individuals are Mer Amilil, operations commander of the BIFF; BIFF battalion commander Muslimin Gumanding Amilil; MILF battalion commander Ben Tikaw; MILF commanders Makku Tikaw and Salik Kikuk.
“The Joint NBI-NPS Special Investigation team…is pleased to refer to your Office for the conduct of preliminary investigation the results of its fact-finding investigation into the Mamasapano incident of Jan. 25, 2015 wherein 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company of the PNP-SAF were found to be victims of the complex crime of direct assault with murder perpetrated by confederating members of the MILF, BIFF and Private Armed Groups (PAGs),” the transmittal letter said.
Also recommended charged are elements of BIFF Hud Lamban Abdullah, alias “Hud Amilil,” Zaharis Kusain Amilil, Mahmod Pidtub Amilil and Noel Sinsuat Ganoy.
On the other hand, identified members of the MILF are Marop Kudos Omar, alias “Marup,” Badrudin Minidal Abdullah, Suweb Inday Balabagan, Suari Anok Bhal, Sabi Samama Dalimbang, Musib Kamot Hasim, Randy Kindi Abdulrahman and Esmail Mamalangkas Kilay.
The NBI-NPS team also included in the charge sheet several “John Does” or still unidentified men.
Likewise, the team added that the respondents also committed theft when they took the personal properties of the victims.
Last April, the DOJ also recommended filing of charges against 90 MILF, BIFF and PAG members for the death of the 55th SAF.
Commandos from the 55th SAF, who served as blocking force, were killed by Moro rebels in the cornfield in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.
The NBI-NPS team based its findings on the testimony of witness identified only as “Marathon.” (PNA)