Killing Usman ‘positive step’ in peace process—Marcos

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

Senators believe that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) reported role in the killing of suspected terrorist bomber Abdul Basit Usman would help restore trust and confidence in the peace process.

“Assuming it’s true – kung totoo nga na patay na si Usman – makakatulong iyan sa pagbalik ng tiwala,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said in an interview on Monday when asked if Usman’s death would address trust issues between the MILF and critics of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

BACKSTORY: Bomber Basit Usman killed by MILF 

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., chair of the Senate committee on local government, said the MILF’s role in Usman’s killing was a “positive step by the MILF in the peace process.”

“This is a step to regaining confidence in the peace process with the people. A positive step by the MILF in the peace process,” Marcos said in a text message.

READ: Infighting over $1-M bounty seen behind Usman killing – AFP

Senator Francis Escudero said the reported role of the MILF in neutralizing the suspected bomber might help increase the belief in the group’s sincerity in the peace process but said the report “has to be verified first.”

“Well, given these stories, all the more reason that we should know the circumstances,” he said, referring to some reports that Usman was killed during an infighting among his bodyguards in Maguindanao Sunday.

“I am not diminishing, however, the gains in our fight against terrorism with his (Usman) elimination, if true, regardless of the circumstances,” the senator added in a separate text message.

Escudero earlier called on the MILF to first clear Bangsamoro areas of terrorists before the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law would be passed by Congress.

Some senators questioned the sincerity of the MILF after some of its members joined the killing of 44 police commandos during the January 25 Mamasapano operations.

Usman was one of the targets of that operation but he managed to escape. The primary target, Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” was successfully killed.

READ: Marwan is dead, says FBI 

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