Palace says Duterte hoping justice will be served SAF 44

President Rodrigo Duterte is hoping that justice will soon be served in the case of the 44 police commandos that perished in the Mamasapano massacre, his spokesman said on Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the statement after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morals ordered the filing criminal charges against former President Benigno Aquino for graft and usurpation of authority in connection with the botched operation in January 2015.

Abella added that Malacañang respected the constitutional mandate of the Ombudsman to probe public officials.

“The President recognizes the heroic sacrifice of the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force 44, and it is his—and the nation’s—hope to finally bring justice to the victims and families of the Fallen 44 and put closure to the issue as part of the healing process,” he said.

Duterte met with the relatives of the SAF 44 in Malacañang in January to commemorate the deaths of their loved ones.

In his message, the President criticized Aquino for being too dependent on former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.

He also lambasted Aquino for his actions when he found out about the Mamasapano tragedy. —NB, GMA News