Panel on Aquino case suspends its inquiry

A special judicial panel decided Monday to suspend its investigation into the assassination of Philippines opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The five-member commission appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos unanimously decided to call off the probe until the Supreme Court rules on petitions charging the probe is biased, commission member Julio Villamar said. Both the Aquino family and its political allies dismiss the panel as lacking impartiality.

The announcement came as a White House advance team began meeting with Filipino officials to prepare for President Reagan's planned November trip despite warnings the visit could be ''very dangerous.''