PNoy knew about Mamasapano operation morning of Jan 25

Sometime Sunday morning of January 25, President Benigno Aquino III knew about the result of the Mamasapano operation, which left 44 police commandos dead.

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Miriam at the Mamasapano inquiry: ‘Nothing fails like a failure’ and other takeaways

Lung cancer and chronic fatigue may have taken the otherwise indefatigable Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago from the Senate's plenary sessions but the outspoken lawmaker could still be counted on to spew quotable commentary and ask the difficult questions when the chamber tackles controversies such as the Mamasapano clash.

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Bangsamoro law to pass only with amendments —Mindanao solon

With support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) waning in Congress, a lawmaker believes the only way for the measure to be passed is to remove the glaring unconstitutional provisions it contains.

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Cayetano: Mamasapano clash happened because MILF shot at govt forces

The Mamasapano clash happened not because of lack of coordination but because the Moro Islamic Liberation Front fired on government forces who were there to arrest two terrorists, Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday.

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Commandos’ foes hid behind trees in Mamasapano —CIDG video

The armed men encountered by the PNP-Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano on Jan. 25 took sufficient cover behind the trees at the clash site while the troopers were caught quite vulnerable in an open cornfield, a video obtained by the Philippine National Police showed.

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Mamasapano clash puts members of PMA Class of ‘81 in spotlight

The ongoing congressional inquiry on the January 25 Mamasapano clash has put members of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981 in spotlight.

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Honasan to Espina: Let justice for Fallen 44 be your legacy

Let justice for the Fallen 44 be your legacy. This was the “advice” Senator Gringo Honasan gave his fellow military school graduate, PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

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AFP official: PNoy wanted reinforcement after getting briefed on Mamasapano clash

With "very vague" information as to what was happening at the Mamasapano operation, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. General Rustico Guerrero on Thursday said it was already late afternoon when President Benigno Aquino III was briefed about the situation.

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TIMELINE: What were PNoy and co. doing on day of Mamasapano clash?

President Benigno Aquino III was in Zamboanga City with Cabinet and military officials on January 25, the day of the Mamasapano clash that killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force. What were Aquino and his officials doing on that day? GMA News Online compiled information from the Senate hearing on the encounter on Thursday as well as Twitter announcements from the AFP Western Mindanao command, to give readers a clearer picture below.

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CBCP joins calls not to spread video of Mamasapano clash

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Thursday joined calls not to spread the graphic video of some of the Special Action Force troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

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Iqbal says MILF sees no benefit in protecting Marwan

The chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday said they have no reason to protect Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, one of the two high-profile targets of the January 25 police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

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Miriam to Iqbal: How do you expect the BBL to pass after Mamasapano incident

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Thursday grilled Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal how he expected the Bangsamoro Basic Law to get passed in Senate after the hours-long firefight in Mamasapano last January 25.

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3 of 6 pass Metallurgical Engineer Licensure Exam –PRC

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Thursday announced that 3 out of 6 passed the Metallurgical Engineer Licensure Examination given on February 10 to 12.

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SC justices: PNoy, Abad are DAP authors, should be held liable

President Benigno Aquino III and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad should be held liable for approving and implementing acts under the Disbursement Acceleration Program, according to two Supreme Court justices.

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Sandiganbayan bars ex-Rep. Lanete, 31 others from leaving the country

Days after the second batch of pork barrel cases were filed and raffled off at the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division issued a hold departure order instructing the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation to bar former Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, her chief od staff, and 30 others from leaving the country.

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DOH says Pinay nurse with MERS-CoV pregnant

The Filipina nurse from Saudi Arabia who was tested positive of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is pregnant, the Department of Health said Thursday.

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Miriam to Purisima: ‘Kung hindi ka siguro nakisali, buhay pa sila’

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Thursday reprimanded ex-Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima for "meddling" with Oplan Exodus even while serving his preventive suspension.

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No gag order on Cabinet execs attending hearings on Mamasapano clash – Palace

Cabinet officials have not been given orders to clam up during congressional hearings on the deadly Mamasapano operation, Malacañang said Thursday.

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Miriam notes ‘lapses’ in Mamasapano operation during Senate hearing

As far as Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is concerned, the Mamasapano operation — from planning to execution — is full of lapses.

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AFP ready to thwart any coup attempt – Palace

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to thwart any attempt to topple President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, Malacañang said Thursday.

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LP solon wants PNoy to appoint Espina as new PNP chief

A Liberal Party stalwart has urged President Benigno Aquino III to appoint Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina in a permanent capacity as the new PNP chief, citing his professionalism and capability to lead.

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PNoy not bothered by Espina’s absence at planning of Mamasapano ops

President Benigno Aquino III did not mind that PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina was left out of the loop in the planning for the January 29 Mamasapano operation, despite his strict order to ensure proper coordination for the operation.

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PNoy did not look for Espina in Jan. 9 meeting about Mamasapano ops

Relieved Philippine National Police-Special Action Force chief Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. admitted Thursday that President Benigno Aquino III did not look for or required the presence of acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina during their January 9 briefing about the Mamasapano police operation.

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Iqbal admits MILF does not have ‘total’ control of its territories

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday admitted that the MILF leadership does not have complete control of the areas in Mindanao identified as MILF territories.

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Without the BBL, the Bangsamoro problem is not finished —Iqbal

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday reiterated the need for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as he clarified his statement that the MILF remained a revolutionary organization unless the peace pact is sealed with the enactment of the Bangsamoro charter.

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Miriam: PNoy was not completely forthcoming on his role in Mamasapano clash

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago does not think President Benigno Aquino III has been completely forthcoming regarding his role in the January 25 Mamasapano operation that led to the deaths of 44 elite policemen.

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Security officials silent when asked on who informed PNoy about Mamasapano incident

Admitting that they did not see any urgency regarding the initial information they received about the January 25 Mamasapano clash, top security officials on Thursday could not respond right away when asked at the Senate hearing on who broke the news to President Benigno Aquino III.

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Should MILF be charged for war crimes for Mamasapano clash? De Lima weighs in

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Miriam: MILF can be charged before int’l court over Mamasapano incident

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Thursday said criminal charges may be filed against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before the international court if proven that their members were involved in the brutal killing of elite policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on January 25.

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Revilla lawyer formally withdraws from ‘pork’ cases

Detained Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla and his lawyer Joel Bodegon have formally cut ties, according to a manifestation sent to the Sandiganbayan First Division Wednesday, but made public Thursday.

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FULL TEXT: MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal’s opening statement during day 3 of Senate hearing on Mamasapano clash

Below is the full text of MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal during the February 12 hearing of the Senate committee on public order on the January 25 Mamasapano clash that left 44 SAF policemen dead. It was the first time Iqbal attended the hearing, which was already on its third day.

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Ex-PNP chief Purisima: I am accountable for Mamasapano operation

Resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima on Thursday admitted he was accountable for the operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force police troopers last Jan. 25.

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Gazmin admits receiving coup plot report

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday admitted receiving reports that there are people who are planning to oust President Benigno Aquino III.

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ARMM gov: MILF, BIFF, armed groups may have bonded vs. SAF men in Mamasapano clash

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman on Thursday said members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, its breakaway group Bangasamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups may have helped each other during the Mamasapano bloodbath on Jan. 25.

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Iqbal: MILF did not know presence of Marwan, Usman

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday maintained that they did not know that wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin (Marwan) Hir and bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman were in their area in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

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Miriam asks Senate committee to show viral video of Mamasapano killing

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Thursday asked Senator Grace Poe to reconsider her suggestion not to have the video of the slain PNP-Special Action Force officer shown at the Senate probe on the Mamasapano incident.

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MILF chairman Murad relays condolences to families of slain SAF 44

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Poe condemns brutal manner of killing SAF man

Senator Grace Poe on Thursday condemned the brutal manner of killing a PNP-Special Action Force commando as shown in a video that viral Wednesday.

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MILF’s Iqbal to attend Senate hearing on bloody Mamasapano clash

Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal will attend the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash which left 44 PNP-Special Action Force commandos dead, the office of Senator Grace Poe said Thursday.

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Nurse infected with MERS-CoV in stable condition — DOH official

The Finipina nurse from Saudi Arabia who tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is now in stable condition, a Department of Health official said Thursday.

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PCSO: Bettor bags P14.4M Megalotto 6/45 jackpot

A lone bettor is now P14.4 million richer after bagging the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Megalotto 6/45 jackpot Wednesday night.

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Caught in the crossfire, Mamasapano folk call for peace

COTABATO CITY – Those calling for all-out war over the clash in Mamasapano would do well to spend time in conflict areas, according to Bassit Accoy, an official of the remote town in Maguindanao province that few had heard about until January 25, when 44 elite police troopers were killed there.

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Solon questions PNoy’s role in Mamasapano clash

A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday grilled the regional commander of the military over the role of President Benigno Aquino III in the Mamasapano clash.

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Viral video of 'Mamasapano killing' not conclusive against MILF – Jaafar

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said the viral video purportedly showing armed men killing commandos of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force does not conclusively show that MILF members are responsible, a report form GMA's “State of the Nation” program said Wednesday.

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Iqbal might attend Senate inquiry on Mamasapano clash —Jaafar

Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal might attend the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash scheduled on Thursday, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said on Wednesday night.

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Oplan Exodus: 392 SAF prepared for 1,000 armed men in Mamasapano operation

The expected movements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and even private armed groups were among the factors taken into consideration in the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force's Oplan Exodus, a report from GMA's “24-Oras” said Wednesday.

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Palace still looking for ‘right people’ to head COA, Comelec

President Benigno Aquino III has not yet named appointees to head the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Commission on Election (Comelec) because Malacañang is still looking for the “right people” for the jobs, his spokesman said Wednesday.

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Command responsibility also applies to Purisima, Napeñas –legal experts

Despite being policemen, resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and relieved PNP Special Action Force commander Director Getulio Napeñas Jr can still be held liable under the military doctrine of "command responsibility" over the January 25 Mamasapano clash.

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Napeñas yet to submit copy of Oplan Exodus to PNP BOI

The sacked chief of the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force said that the SAF has yet to submit a copy of Oplan Exodus to the PNP's Board of Inquiry, which is investigating the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the deaths of 44 police officers last month.

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Congressmen too many to handle in House panel’s Mamasapano probe

Blame it on the numbers. With almost 50 lawmakers wanting to ask questions and make comments on the Mamasapano clash, it was inevitable that the House of Representatives’ first hearing on the covert anti-terror raid would become unwieldy at various times.

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