DOJ sends team to probe Maimbung massacre

SULU, Philippines – The Department of Justice on Wednesday sent a seven-man team of prosecutors here to investigate the killing of seven civilians and an off-duty soldier during a military operation in Maimbung town. The team, headed by Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa, immediately met with Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, who briefed them on their task. "We will investigate the killings in Maimbung town. There will be a thorough investigation and we will file criminal charges against those who will be found guilty," Umpa told the GMANews.TV in an interview. The military has been insisting on the legitimacy of the February 4 raid in Maimbung, saying it was an operation to rescue businesswoman Rosalie Lao from her Abu Sayyaf abductors. The raid resulted to the deaths of seven civilians, including two children, two teenagers, and a pregnant woman. The slain civilians were identified as Marisa Payian, 4; Wedme Lahim, 9; Alnalyn Lahim, 15; Sulayman Hakob, 17; Kirah Lahim, 45; Eldisim Lahim, 43; Narcia Abon, 24. Two soldiers were also killed while four others were wounded when armed villagers retaliated to the attacking government troops. In a report, Commission on Human Rights Regional Director Jose Manuel Mamauag denied that there were Abu Sayyaf members during the raid. He also accused the troops involved in the operation of plundering the houses of the villagers. Mamauag has recommended the filing of criminal charges against the raiding soldier, who are mostly members of the elite and US-trained Army Light Reaction Company and the Navy’s Special Warfare Group. For their part, the military has ordered a separate probe on the killings. Umpa said part of their job is to ensure that there will be no whitewash in the military investigation. "(DOJ) Secretary (Raul) Gonzalez's marching order to this panel is to conduct an impartial investigation and to identify the perpetrators (of the killings)," he said. Reps. Yusop Jikiri (Sulu) and Mujiv Hataman (Basilan) have separately called for a congressional investigation into the incident. Hataman described the killings as "despicable, loathsome and ruthless." - Al Jacinto, GMANews.TV