Giving MILF deadline to surrender fighters ‘unrealistic’–Palace

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is not keen on setting a deadline for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to surrender its members involved in the Mamasapano attack that left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) and 18 MILF fighters dead, saying such a demand is “unrealistic.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Thursday said it would be “unrealistic” for the Palace to corner MILF in a deadline especially due to the gravity of the challenge the government set to the MILF.

“Walang binabanggit na partikular na petsa dahil kung titingnan din naman natin ’yung kabuuan nito, baka naman hindi realistic dahil ang mga pinag-uusapan ay mga mabibigat na hamon,” Coloma said.

The Palace earlier called on the MILF to meet the following demands to regain government trust on the Moro group, whose sincerity to the peace deal was questioned due to the Mamasapano attack: Help the government capture local bomb maker Basit Usman, who escaped the operation that killed his boss international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan; surrender its fighters so they could face criminal charges for the attack, and return the firearms seized from the SAF cops.

Congress support for the Bangsamoro bill, which would implement the peace deal with MILF, was shaken stemming from allegations that the MILF coddled the two terrorists in its territory.

So far, the MILF was able to comply with the return of SAF firearms. While the MILF has assured that it would help capture Usman, it remains evasive if it would surrender its MILF fighters.

Coloma said the President retained a “sense of urgency” in compelling the MILF to adhere to the government’s demands.

“Ang pinakamalinaw ay ’yung pagkakaroon ng sense of urgency ng ating Pangulo na kinakailangang makita ’yung kongkretong manipestasyon na ito ay tinutugunan at noon ngang kahapon ay nagkaroon ng pagsauli ng mga armas at itinuturing natin na ito ay positibong pangyayari,” Coloma said.

Coloma said the return of the SAF firearms by the MILF is a step forward in regaining the government trust on the MILF.

“This is an encouraging development at nagbibigay ito ng senyales sa kahandaan sa bahagi ng MILF na bigyan ng kongkretong manipestasyon ‘yung kanilang pagiging partner ng pamahalaan sa prosesong pangkapayapaan,” Coloma said.

He said the government is awaiting the investigation of the MILF on its own fighters involved in the attack.

RELATED STORY

PNP receives 16 SAF firearms returned by MILF, but there’s a problem