Osmeña warns of possible whitewash in Mamasapano clash report

At least one senator is afraid the recently-concluded Senate investigation into the Mamasapano clash could result in a whitewash of the incident, which has given President Benigno Aquino III more ammunition against him and his administration.

In a radio interview with dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo, Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said it would be “easy” for Aquino allies who dominate the Senate to absolve the president of any faults. 

“Well, tingnan po natin kasi medyo kontrolado nila ang Senado ngayon so baka ma-whitewash. Pero we will look out for that. Sasabihin naman namin pag tantiya namin mukhang nawa-white wash. At di naman maniniwala ang taumbayan, medyo decided na sila kung sino ang may sala dito,” Osmeña said.

But despite Poe’s assurances, Osmeña said he and the public will know if the probe has been compromised.

“You can have one hundred and one signs. Basta makikita mo yun sa final report eh, magkakaroon ka ng feeling or belief or certainty na ‘ay, mukhang na whitewash ito ah.’ Pero makikita mo rin yan sa recitation of facts, kung nabungi or may kulang, ayun. There are many ways to engineer, but the final analysis is the result,” Osmeña said, adding that he cannot say if he will sign the committee report yet.