Special team recommends filing of slay raps vs MILF, BIFF men

Soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion in Ligao City, offer prayers and light candles for the death of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Two commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF) and three commanders from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 98 others have been recommended to face a case for murder and theft for the deaths of 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF), 18 MILF members and six civilians.

In a transmittal letter to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano dated July 13 by the joint special team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service (NPS), recommended that 102 individuals undergo preliminary investigation for complex crime of direct assault with murder.

READ: DOJ creates special team to probe Mamasapano incident

Included in the 102 individuals are Mer Amilil, Operations Commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), BIFF Battalion Commander Muslimin Gumanding Amilil, MILF Battalion Commander Ben Tikaw, MILF Commanders Makku Tikaw and Salik Kikuk.

“The Joint NBI-NPS Special Investigation team…is pleased to refer to your Office for the conduct of preliminary investigation the results of its fact-finding investigation into the Mamasapano incident  of Jan. 25, 2015 wherein 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company of the PNP-SAF were found to be victims of the complex crime of direct assault with murder perpetrated by confederating members of the MILF, BIFF and Private Armed Groups (PAGs),” the letter stated.

Also recommended to be charged were BIFF members Hud Lamban Abdullah alias Hud Amilil, Zaharis Kusain Amilil, Mahmod Pidtub Amilil and Noel Sinsuat Ganoy.

Identified members of the MILF, on the other hand, include Marop Kudos Omar alias Marup, Badrudin Minidal Abdullah, Suweb Inday Balabagan, Suari Anok Bhal, Sabi Samama Dalimbang, Musib Kamot Hasim, Randy Kindi Abdulrahman and Esmail Mamalangkas Kilay.

The team also included several John Does or still unidentified men.

At the same time, the panel added that the suspects also committed theft when they took the personal properties of the victims.

Last April,  the DOJ also recommended filing of charges against 90 MILF, BIFF and PAGs members for the death of the 55th SAC.

READ: DOJ report: Slay raps vs 90 MILF, BIFF rebels

Commandos from SAF 55th who served as blocking force were those killed by Moro rebels in the cornfield in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.

The team based its findings on the testimony of witness identified only as “Marathon.”