‘No basis’, says Palace on treason charge

Malacañang is not worried about the treason complaint filed against President Aquino over the bungled Mamasapano operation and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. asserted that the complaint filed by former assemblyman Homobono Adaza before the Office of the Ombudsman has no basis.

“The President is determined to pursue the peace process despite charges that have no basis,” Coloma told reporters in the Palace.

In the complaint, Adaza claimed that President Aquino and other top government officials should be charged with treason for pursuing an agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and pursuing a bill that seeks to create a Bangsamoro political entity, which he said violates the Constitution and gives aid to the enemies of the state.

The commander-in-chief was also accused of issuing a stand down order from sending reinforcements to the beleaguered Special Action Force (SAF) commandos during the January 25 operation in Mamasapano just to save the BBL.

The President, however, is immune from any lawsuit during his incumbency.

‘ENEMIES OF PEACE’

The President earlier used the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution to push for the peace measure despite the Mamasapano massacre. Aquino, heavily criticized for the bungled police mission, made a pitch for the swift approval of the BBL as he vowed to fight the “enemies of peace” in the south.

“If we give in to the enemies of peace, it’s as if we’re also allowing the conflict in Mindanao to worsen. If we surrender the establishment of the Bangsamoro, it’s like we’re allowing them to bequeath arms to the next generation of our fellow Filipinos,” the President said.

“We would never allow this to happen. It’s only by attaining lasting peace that all the sacrifices will be worth it for those who fought in EDSA, including those who lost their lives to end fear and violence in society,” he noted.

Several lawmakers have expressed misgivings on the passage of the BBL following the MILF’s reported involvement in the Mamasapano clash that martyred 44 SAF commandos. Some wanted to amend provisions of the President’s priority bill while others refused to support the peace measure due to the alleged insincerity of the MILF.