SC stops Sandigan arraignment of Noynoy in Mamasapano case

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order for the Sandiganbayan to stop its proceedings in the case in relation with the Mamasapano bloodbath in 2015.  

In a resolution dated February 7 but released to the media on Friday, the high court stopped the anti-graft court's Fourth Division from proceeding with the arraignment of former president Benigno Aquino III slated for February 15.

In its resolution, the SC also enjoined the Ombudsman from implementing its assailed decision dismissing the homicide charges against the former president.

The high tribunal was acting on a petition filed by relatives of two of the Special Action Forces commandos who were slain in the botched 2015 operation.

The petitioners in November last year asked the SC to nullify the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman which dismissed the complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide filed against Aquino, former police chief Alan Purisima, and former SAF commander Getulio Napenas.

The Office of the Solicitor General has also asked the high court to order the Office of the Ombudsman to file homicide charges against Aquino.

The accused are now facing charges for graft and usurpation of official functions.

The resolution stopped the Office of the Ombudsman from proceeding with further actions on the cases that junked the homicide charges.

"We respect that order of the SC noting that the prosecution of the case is handled by the Special Prosecutor of the Ombudsman," Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida commended the SC for granting the stay order and "upholding the sacred duty of the State to prosecute crimes."

"This is the first step to hold those responsible for the senseless killing of the SAF 44," he said. — MDM/DVM, GMA News