MANILA, July 15 — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) lauded the order of the Office of the Ombudsman to file charges against former President Benigno Aquino III and two police officials in connection with the tragic death of 44 police commandos in Maguindanao in 2015.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBPC-PAC executive secretary believed that the Ombudsman performed its duty as a public “watchdog” for corrupt and abusive government officials.
“The filing of the case upholds the role of the office as a public “watchdog” for corrupt and abusive government officials,” he said.
The Catholic priest added, “This is also a vindication for the families of SAF 44 who perished in the Mamasapano debacle.”
Secillano noted that the order of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales contradicts speculations that the latter is a supporter of Aquino.
Related story: Ex-President Aquino to face trial for Mamasapano tragedy
“This belies the impression that Ombudsman Morales is an Aquino ally,” he said.
“Let’s hope that the office of the Ombudsman will also act firmly and swiftly against present government officials who also seem to commit grave misdeeds in the performance of their functions,” the CBCP-PAC official added.
On Friday, Morales ordered the filing of charges against Aquino and his co-accused former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force Director Getulio Napenas.
They were given until Wednesday, July 19, to appeal the order. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)
