Malacañang keeps hands off MILF report

By: 10 years ago

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday refused to comment on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s report on the botched Mamasapano operation.

“We leave it to DOJ (Department of Justice) to determine how the MILF report will be relevant to their investigation,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said when asked by reporters about the 37-page document submitted to Senate on Tuesday.

The DOJ is among the government bodies investigating the controversial mission, which was kept secret from the Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Lack of coordination with the military and groups involved in the peace process was among the factors believed to have contributed to the large number of casualties during the operation held last January 25 in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao. In addition to 44 policemen, 18 MILF fighters and five civilians were also killed (However, the MILF report said only 17 of their fighters and three civilians were killed besides the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers).

According to the MILF, its fighters were “justified in fighting back” because they were not informed that there was an ongoing government operation in the area.

READ: MILF: We just fought back

The report echoed earlier MILF statements denying accusations that they coddled Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his Filipino associate, Basit Usman, who were the targets of the PNP SAF operation codenamed “Oplan Exodus.”

The MILF not only called for the accountability of the PNP SAF for human rights violations, it also said it will file a protest against it for breaking the ceasefire.

Because of the Mamasapano debacle, several groups questioned the Philippine government’s decision to pursue peace with the MILF. The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which aims to implement the peace agreement of the two parties, has also been stalled in Congress. ID