A screen grab of the live TV coverage of the Hearing showing Cebu 3rd district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia. (Screengrab from GMA News TV)
Cebu 3rd district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia created a ruckus at yesterday’s congressional investigation of the Jan. 25 encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao after she moved to publicly show a video that recorded how some of the ill-fated members of the PNP Special Action Force were brutally killed.
She later withdrew her motion after other lawmakers pointed out the sensitivity of the video as well as its implications in the peace process in Mindanao.
The six-minute video spreading on social media since Wednesday showed a man being finished off with two gunshots in the chest and head near a cornfield. After the man, who was purportedly holding a camera, shot the already immobilized trooper, he ran through the cornfield and took the combat gear of another trooper who lay dead.
Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat brought up the existence of the video after PNP officer-in-charge, Deputy Director-General Leonardo Espina revealed in the hearing that he couldn’t sleep after reading the medico-legal report that indicated that the SAF troopers were shot at close range.
Chief Insp. Reynaldo Ariño, commander of the 5th Special Action Battalion, also confirmed that the man who was shot in the video was a SAF trooper.
Garcia, who attended the hearing as a member of the House Committee on Public Order and Security, manifested a motion to show the video during the hearing, which triggered a heated argument among lawmakers.
‘Easy to call for war’
Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema immediately opposed the motion. “We are here in Manila. Most of the people here have not experienced war. It’s easy to call for war,” Sema tearfully said.
“May I ask for reconsideration that the video not be shown?” she added.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, however, supported Garcia’s motion, saying watching the footage would help them “ask the right questions.”
Lanao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Pangalian Balindong said showing the video in public would not help the ongoing peace process which has been imperiled by the Mamasapano incident.
Caloocan City Rep Edgar Erice also opposed the showing of the footage, arguing that it has yet to be authenticated.
Negros Occidental 4th district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Security who presided over the joint hearing, ruled against Garcia’s motion. He, however, directed the police officials to authenticate the video.
Director Benjamin Magalong, chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group who also chairs the Board of Inquiry, however said that while he has seen the video, he couldn’t give a categorical answer as they are still investigating the incident.
“I would not deny that I was able to watch the video yesterday. But as head of the BOI, with all due respect, I would rather refrain from giving out any comment,” he said.
Director Getulio Napeñas, who was the SAF commander at the time of the clash, said he also got a copy of the video, but has refrained from viewing it. He then suggested that the panel ask Supt. Ariño to make the confirmation, but lawmakers disallowed him from identifying the policeman in the video.
More hearings
At the start of the day-long hearing at 10 a.m., Garcia moved that the joint congressional committee schedule additional public hearings considering the “long and arduous task” ahead. “This could be a long and arduous task. In light of the many questions that continue to swirl around this tragic incident, it looks like we will not be able to arrive at our goal by the end of this day. And so… may I move we shall hold a second and third hearing by next week,” Garcia said.
She said the added hearings could be held Tuesday or Wednesday. Garcia eventually withdrew her motion.
Don’t share
The PNP called on the public to refrain from further circulating the video online.
“This is a free country and we can’t prevent or ban the sharing of information. We can’t order netizens what to do. But personally, if it’s true that it shows the SAF, it’s disrespectful and disturbing. So if possible, please stop sharing the video,” Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, PNP spokesman, said. “Viewing the video is painful, even for those who didn’t know [the SAF troopers]. What more for their families?” he added. / Managing Editor Ares P. Gutierrez with Inquirer