DOJ to start study of statements gathered by BOI on Mamasapano encounter

(L-R) Acting PNP Chief Leandro Espina, DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Sec. Leila De Lima, and former PNP Chief Gen. Alan Purisima on Thursday’s (Feb 12, 2015) Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash (Photo courtesy of Sen. Grace Poe’s Facebook page)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to start the study of the sworn statements gathered by the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) in connection with the bloody Mamasapano encounter last month.

Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima expressed hope on Friday that the state prosecutors will work “double-time” this weekend to finish the evaluation of the documents turned over by the BOI so that the ocular inspection will be conducted next week.

The DOJ is now in possession of the copy of the sworn affidavits and statements gathered by the BOI which is investigating the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.

To strengthen the case buildup, the DOJ-National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Team will conduct an ocular inspection in the scene of the encounter to confirm the contents of the statements and validate the exact location of the encounter.

De Lima said the DOJ-NBI Special team will also study the pieces of evidence to be gathered by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is also conducting an investigation of the incident.