Instead of casting doubts, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should respect the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) report on the Mamasapano clash and cooperate with the government in pursuing justice for those who perished from the incident, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Thursday.
“We hope that the MILF will cooperate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in seeking justice for what happened in Mamasapano. This is an important step for them as they enter the democratic process,” Drilon, a former executive and justice secretary, said in a statement.
The Senate leader said it is crucial that the MILF show and prove to the Filipino people its commitment to peace and justice “in order to reestablish the people’s confidence in the peace process,” which is said to have eroded since the Mamasapano incident.
“Rather than express doubts on the investigation, the MILF has to move with the rest of the public on this matter. They should abide by the process in accordance with the Constitution and our laws,” Drilon said.
He said it would be in the best interest of the Mindanao peace process if the MILF would fully cooperate with government in bringing justice to the victims of the incident.
“As our partners in the peace process, now is a good time for them to show that they are genuine in their commitment to securing peace by doing all they can to assist and participate in the legal process that will now take into action,” said the Senate leader.
Drilon said the DOJ report was able to establish clearly the culpability of the rebels from the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), in the deaths of 44 members of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force, who went to Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25 on an official mission.
He then threw his support behind the filing of cases against those involved in the Mamasapano clash as he urged the DOJ to continue filing appropriate charges against other individuals involved in the incident. RC