Peace panel’s acts ‘speak ill’ of members, but not a crime, says legal expert

A legal expert on Thursday said it would be pointless to file a case against members of the government peace panel for allegedly protecting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in connection with the deadly January 25 Mamasapano clash.

"I don't think any case against the peace panel would prosper," Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, dean of the San Beda College of Law, told GMA News Online.

During the resumption of the House probe on the deadly clash, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita “Ging” Deles dared members of the House of Representatives to file a formal complaint if they think the government peace panel is acting in defense of the rebel group.

Government peace panel chairman Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, also during the hearing, cried foul over what she said was an unjust portrayal of the peace process as the cause of the Mamasapano bloodbath.

"What seems to be assailed is the ease with which the Deles-Ferrer tandem gave in to MILF demands," said Aquino.

"I don't think they are being charged with a crime. They are however accused of favoring the MILF over the republic, which may not be a crime, but speaks ill of them as government negotiators," said the law dean.

During Wednesday's hearing, Deles objected to Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat's comment that the government peace panel should start “speaking” for the Philippine government and not the MILF.

To cite an example, Lobregat said, "in all the reports, AFP, PNP and even ARMM they mentioned SAF, they mentioned MILF, they mentioned civilians. It was only in the report of the OPAPP that the list of SAF members who died in that tragic incident were not mentioned."

Senators Francis Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano earlier urged President Benigno Aquino III to replace Deles, Ferrer and other peace negotiators, saying that they are siding with the rebels and acting like "spokesperson, lawyers, and campaign managers" for the MILF. — BM, GMA News