MILF unclear on handing over fighters in Mamasapano encounter
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, is vague on whether his group will heed the call of President Aquino and lawmakers for the MILF to return the firearms, equipment and personal belongings (specifically mobile phones) that were taken from the fallen SAF commandos. Photo from Nikko Dizon’s Twitter account
MANILA, Philippines–A leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is making no commitment it will surrender its members involved in the Mamasapano encounter where 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos were slaughtered.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, is equally vague on whether his group will heed the call of President Aquino and lawmakers for the MILF to return the firearms, equipment and personal belongings (specifically mobile phones) that were taken from the fallen SAF commandos.
In an interview with dzBB radio, Jaafar said the MILF had already formed a seven-member team to investigate what happened in Mamasapano “for the internal purpose of the MILF leadership only.”
Jaafar said the MILF would keep silent on issues involving the Mamasapano incident until after it had completed its own inquiry.
‘Not deliberate’
“But we want to reiterate, this was not deliberate, this is not a massacre. A massacre is supposed to be one-sided, but both sides were armed, many died from the SAF-PNP and from the MILF. But in any encounter, somebody will be hit by a bullet,” he said.
Magdalo Rep. Ashley Acedillo said Jaafar’s vague response to demands to hand over the MILF fighters for prosecution and return the firearms and items they stole, would be put into question not only the MILF’s sincerity but also its concept of law.
“If they violated the law, they must subject themselves to the judicial process. I am worried about their declaration that they would still review these requests. Either they are not convinced that they should turn over their men or they have no control and that is why they have to talk about,” Acedillo said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon and several members of the House of Representatives have demanded the immediate surrender of the MILF members who participated in the Mamasapano massacre.
‘Answered many times’
Jafaar expressed annoyance over questions on whether the MILF would surrender its members who had a hand in the killings of the SAF commandos.
“I have answered you many times on this issue. I don’t know if you can understand. In general, we are cooperating with the government. What kind of cooperation do you want to know? It is very clear that that question is beyond my jurisdiction,” Jafaar said.
The MILF, according to him, has four bodies that dispense justice to MILF members—the Sharia court, a reconciliation committee, a military disciplinary board and a regular military court for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Jaafar also said he could not say with finality if the MILF would at least return the firearms of the fallen SAF. “But I want to assure you that this will be discussed by the MILF Central Committee if this issue will reach the MILF leadership,” he said.
President Aquino himself appealed to the MILF in his national address last week to at least return the guns and personal items of the dead SAF troops.
Originally posted: 9:53 PM | Sunday, February 1st, 2015
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