Chief Supt. Amando Empiso in this file photo when he was still Northern Police District director. INQUIRER PHOTO / KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
MANILA, Philippines — The anticipated implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) would not prevent justice for the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed during the Mamasapano encounter four years ago, the SAF chief said on Friday.
Acting SAF Director Chief Supt. Amando Empiso clarified that they will still seek justice for the slain commandos while respecting the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“Hindi natin gini-give up. Kung sino talaga ang nagkaroon ng pagkakasala ‘don sa nangyari sa kanila, ipu-pursue pa rin natin ‘yong justice para sa kanila,” Empiso said after a program honoring the SAF 44 in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
“Ire-respect natin ‘yong agreement (with MILF),” he added.
Empiso is also confident that the BOL would prevent the Mamasapano incident from happening again.
“Ang Bangsamoro Organic Law was created precisely para magkaroon tayo ng mahabaan peace and order doon sa Mindanao kung nasaan itong mga kapatid nating muslim. We believe this organic law will be the key para maging peaceful sa area na ‘yon,” Empiso noted.
“Kung tatanungin niyo kung ano ang magiging epekto no’n sa nangyari sa ating SAF 44, palagay ko wala nang mangyayaring gano’ng bagay dahil sila-sila ‘yong mago-govern ng mga sarili nila do’n sa parteng ‘yon ng Mindanao,” he added.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) held a plebiscite last Monday where residents of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao cast a vote of yes or no to whether their locality would be included in a new Bangsamoro region with more control over the government functions.
As of now, it appears that the BOL would be ratified, as only Isabela City in Basilan has more negative than affirmative votes, according to the unofficial tally.
READ: Even without Mamasapano, BBL still doomed in Congress – lawmakers
According to Empiso, even with the BOL, police personnel will again assist the Bangsamoro government, especially in peacekeeping efforts.
“We will just be there to help them, kung kakailanganin nila ‘yong aming tulong lalong-lalo na sa pagme-maintain ng peace and order,” he explained.
READ: Ratification of Bangsamoro law seen
“They will be led by the MILF, we’ve seen them, nag-usap usap naman ‘yong mga grupo ‘don, so we hope and pray na ito na talaga ‘yong paraan, panahon para maghilom na ang mga sugat na matagal na, at magkaroon na ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” he added. /jpv
READ: Majority of Muslims nationwide favor approval of BOL — SWS