No Holy Week break for terrorists

The BIFF, an Islamist militant organization based in Mindanao, reportedly joined forces with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in attacking the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, during the Jan. 25 encounter.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus  Rodriguez, chair of the House Ad Hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), wants justice served sooner for the SAF 44, saying the government should “neutralize” individuals or groups who would stand in the way of the military and police deployed to arrest the killers of government troopers.

Wheels to roll

He said he expected the “wheels of justice” to roll in the next two weeks, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) prepared to file charges and arrest warrants against those responsible for the deaths of the policemen.

“Our government is going to make sure there will be arrests. That’s nothing to worry about. Let’s continue. They don’t want to surrender, we’re going to get them. The people will see that we’re going to go get justice for them,” Rodriguez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

“If those who are going to be arrested are in their territory, the government will enter the territory and implement the warrants of arrest. If they will not stay on the side, then we are going to neutralize them,” said Rodriguez.

The military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf is an ongoing law enforcement operation that began in November last year, according to AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla.

He said the drive against the terrorist group was focused on Jolo, the capital of the island-province of Sulu.

Recent military operations against the group were “follow-ups to what we began last year. There will be no letup until the Abu Sayyaf is decimated,” Padilla said.

Change tactics    

Padilla noted the Abu Sayyaf had changed tactics, avoiding direct engagement with government forces and fragmenting into smaller groups.

He said the AFP had yet to encounter a sizeable force of the group, as the terrorists tended to disengage when the military launches an offensive.

Government troops are also going after bombmaker Basit Usman, who eluded arrest when PNP SAF commandos went to Mamasapano to get him and his Malaysian cohort, Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.” The SAF commandos killed Marwan.

More troops were reportedly sent out last week to scour the Liguasan Marsh for Usman’s hideout.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is scheduled to announce in the next few weeks the results of the DOJ probe into the Mamasapano incident, specifically the individuals who will be charged with the  murder and robbery of the SAF 44. The board of inquiry and Senate reports point to the combined forces of the MILF, BIFF and private armed groups as being responsible for the death of the troopers.