CHIZ: SEPARATE PROBES IN MAMASAPANO CLASH
WILL LEAD US TO THE TRUTH

Investigations will lead us to the truth.

This was the reaction of Senator Chiz Escudero to apprehensions that too many probe bodies may only harm efforts in finding out the truth behind the deaths of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) during a special mission aimed at getting two terrorists wanted by the international community.

"There can be no too many investigations into the Mamasapano carnage if the end goal is to learn the truth," Escudero said.

Escudero is also pushing for separate investigations by the Senate and the House of Representatives, saying that "only the Senate and the House investigations will be open to the public, unlike the others that may be conducted behind closed doors."

Aside from the Senate, Congress and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which President Aquino has put to task to investigate, there are four other agencies which will conduct their own separate probes, namely: the PNP Board of Inquiries, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) Special Investigation Commission, the International Monitoring Team and the Commission on Human Rights. Another proposal for the creation of a truth commission is pending in the Senate.

"The entire nation is digging for answers in the dark now. If what the invitees to these investigating panels will say is the truth and nothing but, then it should be the same however many times and whenever they are asked in the various fora," Escudero pointed out.

He added: "Only those with reason to fear justice and truth will find facing the investigations and having the probes unsettling. Any probe panel which is there to do the intended job is always welcome. Also, the panels will put to good test the veracity of testimonies from all concerned parties."

At the same time, Escudero said those responsible for the deaths in the Mamasapano clash must be brought to justice in full adherence to the Constitution and the Revised Penal Code.

"We must find balance in seeking for justice and learning the truth. We are all players and partners in building and strengthening the peace and in upholding justice," Escudero said.