MILF officials still a no show at Senate hearing on SAF 44 probe

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

Video by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Top officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were again missing as the Senate resumed on Tuesday morning its investigation into the January 25 Mamasapano clash that left 44 police commandos dead.

Mohaquer Iqbal, chair of the MILF panel to peace talks with the government, sent a letter and asked to be excused since his group was still a “revolutionary organization” and the peace agreement it had signed with the Aquino administration had not been fully implemented.

Iqbal’s letter to Senator Grace Poe was read by Rashid Ladiasan, a member of the ceasefire cessation of hostilities.

The letter of Iqbal drew a sharp response from Senator Ferdinand Marcos who saw its contents as “alarming” and that it meant that the MILF was still “at war” with the government.

Meanwhile, Poe told INQUIRER.net in a a text message that she could not say whether survivors of the Mamasapano incident would be presented in an open public hearing.

“We will see how we can get the testimonies of the survivors without compromising their safety,” she said.

“We will also hopefully get to focus on the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), their involvement, and what they are willing to do to prove their sincerity in the peace peace process,” she added.

Among those who faced Monday’s hearing were controversial resigned Philippine National Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima, relieved PNP-Special Action Force Director Getulio Napenas, and other military and police officials.