DOJ orders NBI to examine authenticity of video footage of alleged Mamasapano encounter

Mamasapano, Maguindanao

MANILA — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Cybercrime Division (NBI-ACD) to immediately examine the authenticity of a video footage that was posted on the internet about the alleged encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.

The six-minute video footage was posted on the Facebook and Youtube.

The video shows the alleged aftermath of the shooting incident that took place in a cornfield, with individuals clad in “camouflage” who were though injured, were even shot in close range.

However, it was not clear whether the members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) were the ones being shot in close range on the video.

According to De Lima, it is important that the authenticity of the video should be confirmed because it can be used as evidence in the investigation they are now conducting.

De Lima said that such barbaric killing should not be ignored and those responsible in the said killing, which is considered as “overkill”, should be identified and held liable.

The DOJ Chief explained that even in the middle of conflict, where a war or armed conflict, there are prevailing rules of conduct or war conduct wherein if a person is already incapacitated, he should neither be harmed anymore nor even be killed.

De Lima added that the same is also violative of the existing “International Humanitarian Law”.