MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has deferred the arraignment of former President Benigno Aquino III, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas on graft and usurpation of authority charges over the 2015 Mamasapano incident.
The three were supposed to be arraigned on Wednesday, February 15.
However, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order, effectively stopping the anti-graft court from proceeding with the case until it hears a petition filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and the mothers of two of the police commandos who died in the Mamasapano incident against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales’ junking homicide charges against Aquino and the two former police generals.