MILF to help ensure safety of PNP board of inquiry in Mamasapano

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has said it will help ensure the safety of the members of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) created by the Philippine National Police who will be visiting the Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Tuesday (Feb. 24).

The BOI will conduct its own investigation on the botched operation that left 44 police commandos, 18 rebels and five civilians killed on Jan. 25.

Von Al Haq, vice chair for military affairs of the MILF, said that the group’s 105th Base Command was given the clearance and directives to assist the smooth and orderly conduct of the investigation.

“Commander (Zacaria) Goma has already ordered his men to help secure the BOI most especially from other armed groups in the area,” Al Haq said.

Al Haq has said that the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) will also join the group, which includes members of the media, to also help the investigation and to represent the rebel group.

The MILF, however, said the security that they would provide could only be extended up to the wooded bridge in Barangay (village) Tukanalipao.

“We can ensure their security up to the bridge. But beyond that, most especially in the (Barangay) Pidsandawan, there will be no guarantee. That area is controlled by the BIFF,” Al Haq said.

Al Haq said they also advised the BOI to be in their combat gear as protection from other armed groups not willing to cooperate in the area.

Meanwhile, Al Haq said that the MILF investigation still lacked several information and that the release of its investigation report on the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash, which claimed the lives of 44 Special Action Force commandos, 18 MILF rebels and several civilians, would be decided by their chair, Ebrahim Murad.

“But they should understand that this investigation is strictly for internal purposes. We do not mean to disrespect the government but if they wanted a copy of the report, the request should be channelled through the peace panels,” Al Haq said.

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