The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service formally filed charges of direct assault and murder against 90 individuals before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the botched Mamasapano incident last January.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that among the 90 identified respondents, 26 are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 12 are Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and 52 are from people’s armed groups.
The 90 suspects were identified by witnesses as those allegedly involved in the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that to the death of 44 elite force commandos last January 25.
De Lima said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) held off from naming the respondents to prevent them from going into hiding.
De Lima also said that it took time to file the cases because investigators needed to prepare supporting evidence plus validate sworn statements by witnesses.