MANILA, Philippines – A former spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday said the perpetrators in the killing of elite policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, as shown in a viral video, should be punished by the group, if proven that they are their members.
Eid Kabalu, in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM, said what had transpired in the video posted on Facebook was against the rules of the MILF.
“At least sanction must be done and a statement condemning this barbaric act,” he said, referring to the group’s military guidelines.
The six-minute video, which has received more than a million views before it was deleted, showed how a member of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) was shot at close range. The trooper was still alive and conscious but was lying on the ground because of his injuries before he was shot dead.
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During a Senate hearing on the Mamasapano operation, which left 44 SAF members dead, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said the video showed that the armed men – who have yet to be identified – violated the Geneva Conventions of War.
She claimed that once the SAF troopers ran out of bullets, the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) killed the remaining policemen one by one.
Kabalu said the same was prohibited under the military guidelines of the MILF.
“It’s very unfortunate. Ako nanlulumo ako (nung napanuod ko) eh. Hindi ko matanggap tanggap yung ganun. Yung sa rules of engagement bawal na bawal po yan,” he said. “Pag may buhay pa kahit andyan sa war you are obliged to save lives kahit andyan pa rin sya ika nga, nasa battle ground.”
(It’s very unfortunate. I myself got depressed when I watched it. I cannot accept that it happened. Under the rules of engagement that is prohibited. If there are still people who are alive you are obliged to save lives, even if they are still in the battle ground.)
Kabalu said extremist groups such as the Islamic State may have made it part of their protocol to kill all enemies.
“But this is an isolated group. Hindi po ito kalakaran. I am very sure na tunay na Islam, yung moderate na pagintindi sa Islam we are not allowed that kind of act,” he explained.
(But this is an isolated group. This is not the MILF’s usual procedure. I am very sure that under true Islam, when it comes to moderate Islam, we are not allowed that kind of act.)
He said that if the MILF still respects its own rules, it should not allow such kind of video to spread.
“That is against the policy. It does not contribute anything good to the cause of the Bangsamoro people,” he said.
The person or group behind the viral video has yet to be identified. Both the MILF and the BIFF have not claimed ownership of the footage.
While the MILF is pursuing its peace agreement with the Philippine government, the BIFF has expressed opposition. The BIFF is a splinter group of the MILF.
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