Murder raps filed at DOJ vs. 90 suspects in Mamasapano incident

MANILA -- Murder charges were filed on Tuesday before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 90 suspects in connection with the Mamasapano incident that claimed the lives of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) on Jan. 25, 2015.In a press conference, DOJ Secretary Leila M. De Lima said that of the 90 identified respondents, 26 are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 12 are Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and 52 are People's Armed Groups (PAGs) members.However, De Lima said that they could not yet name the 90 respondents so that they will not be alarmed or go into hiding.She added that the 90 identified respondents were positively identified by the witnesses who were allegedly involved and participated in the Mamasapano incident.According to De Lima, the team of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the complex crime of direct assault with murder against the respondents before the NPS for the conduct of the preliminary investigation.De Lima said that aside from the 90 identified respondents, included in the complaint are several John Does who are not yet identified.She stressed that the release and service of the subpoenas will not be announced so that the 90 suspects will not be able to go into hiding.De Lima pointed out that the subpoenas will be sent c/o the Office of the Mayor of Mamasapano, Maguindanao. (PNA)SCS/PTR