MILF to probe massacre of SAF men

MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is convening a special investigative commission to probe into the bloody firefight in Maguindanao last Sunday that left over 40 members of the Special Action Force dead.

“In order to give meaning to their deaths, we must resolve not to let something like this to happen again. To this end, the MILF is convening a special investigative commission to be composed of members of the MILF central committee and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces general staff who are tasked to investigate the events in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,” MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said in a statement posted on its official website on Wednesday.

SAF members were in Maguindanao last Sunday to serve an arrest warrant on Marwan, the most wanted terrorist in Southeast Asia, but the operation resulted in the biggest loss of lives in law enforcement operation in recent history.

The police commandos clashed with combined troops of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the MILF as the latter claimed the SAF members did not coordinate with them.

“The mandate of the SIC (special investigative commission) is to gather as much reliable information and interview witnesses to establish the truth. The SIC is given instruction to come up with a report to the central committee as soon as possible,” Ebrahim said.

The MILF and the government signed a peace agreement last year for the establishment of the new Bangsamoro entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We hereby reiterate the MILF’s full commitment to the peace process with the Philippine government. An enduring peace and justice remain to be our primary objective. In this regard, all actions and pronouncements of our political and military units of the MILF should advance and adhere to this this primary objective as much as possible with due regard to the safety and security of our people and communities,” Ebrahim said.

The MILF also condoled to the loved ones of those who died in the clashes.

“The emotions of loss and pain are not alien to us Bangsamoro and Mujahedeen, nevertheless, respect and solidarity are due to all, irrespective of which side they belong,” Ebrahim said.