Mamasapano rout: Solons want answers

MANILA, Philippines—Lawmakers on Friday sought answers to a number of mysteries shrouding the bloody encounter in Maguindanao that left 44 police commandos dead, including the apparent role of the United States, and that of suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.

Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate said Congress should launch a full investigation into reports linking US operatives to the botched operation in Mamasapano on Jan. 25.

The PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) contingent had run into forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) while pursuing two international terrorists, including the Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, or “Marwan,” who was reportedly killed by the government troops.

Admit responsibility

Colmenares and Zarate, in a statement, said President Aquino owed it to the public to admit responsibility for the incident and to disclose the extent of the participation of the Americans and of Purisima.

They cited reports that said agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and ranking Filipino police officials had planned the secret operation to neutralize Marwan, a target with a $6-million bounty on his head, and Basit Usman, the BIFF commander.

Based on the reports, it was supposedly the FBI agents who shared an intelligence report on the exact whereabouts of Marwan and Usman.

The source said the Americans were certain about their intelligence data because it was provided by a mole from the MILF. “They were paid cash in exchange for the information,” the source was quoted as saying.

Saddening

“This is what is saddening here—that it was the United States that planned and put our SAF into harm’s way,” Colmenares said.

“This is one of our fears when the Philippines entered the Visiting Forces Agreements and now the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement we are dragged into their fights and battle plans under the heading ‘Target of US enemies,’” he said.

“Filipinos are the ones dying for the United States to get what they want. Worse because we are now seen as part of US military operations against its enemies, we also become a target of attacks by the enemies of the United States. This should really be investigated and added to the numerous reasons why these treaties should be junked,” he added.

Zarate said Congress must conduct a thorough investigation, since it appeared that there was breakdown in the established mechanisms agreed upon by the government peace panel and the MILF.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay challenged Purisima to clarify his participation in the disastrous mission as he called for justice for the SAF members who were killed in action.