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AFP to create panel to probe Basilan clash


The military is set to create a Court of Inquiry to determine the culpability of military officers in the bungled Oct. 18 operation in Al-Barka, Basilan that left 19 elite soldiers dead. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban said the creation of the panel was based on the recommendation of the Board of Inquiry, which initially looked into the incident. “I already have approved the creation of a Court of Inquiry," Oban told reporters at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday. “This is to determine probable causes for succeeding phases of the justice system. This is to pinpoint culpability of officers." He said the Court of Inquiry will continue the investigation conducted by the Board of Inquiry on the incident. Oban said the inquiry may lead to the conduct of court martial proceedings against certain officers “if probable causes [are] established." The new panel will look into the liability of officers from the tactical level down to lowest unit leader involved in the operation, Oban said. It is also tasked to determine the “heroic deeds done by the soldiers involved." The Court of Inquiry will be composed of five to seven officers. Oban did not say how many officers would be subjected to further investigation. The military has already relieved Special Operations Task Force Basilan commander Col. Alexander Macario and 4th Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. Leo Peña for operational lapses following the Oct. 18 incident. The incident was the military’s worst defeat in recent history against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and has undermined the peace negotiations between the government and the rebel group. Oban said he cannot say when the inquiry would be completed but added that he is hoping that this will be finished before he reaches the retirement age of 56 on Dec. 13. — KBK, GMA News