Senator Loren Legarda's Statement on Mamasapano Clash

Senator Loren Legarda said a vigorous probe that would answer all questions about the deadly encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao is needed to give justice to the victims and would be relevant to the ongoing peace negotiations.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the slain police officers. They did not deserve such tragic death. A thorough investigation is needed first and foremost to give justice to the victims," said Legarda.

"We cannot be talking peace on the one hand and see our law enforcers being slaughtered on the other hand. An insinuation that the incident is in the nature of misencounter cannot just be blindly accepted without a credible investigation."

"Questions need to be answered and they need to be answered fast before we can realistically advance discussions on the Bangsamoro Law," Legarda stressed.