Former President Ramos: No finger-pointing

Former president Fidel V. Ramos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former President Fidel Ramos said the peace process should not become a casualty and there should be no finger-pointing among government leaders for what had happened.

“This [is] a notorious event in the history of our nation [but it] should be handled with extra care so as not to jeopardize the peace accord being forged [by] the government and the MILF,” Ramos told reporters in Laguna province.

Accountability

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to make accountable those who had lapses that led to the deaths of the 44 police commandos.

CHR Chair Loretta Ann Rosales said in a statement that she welcomed the creation of a police board of inquiry that would investigate the Mamasapano incident.

The inquiry is “a necessary first step” and must “help bring to light the operational parameters and failures that could constitute criminal negligence,” she said.

“In a similar vein, the MILF must, in observance of human rights and international humanitarian law standards, assess the operational responsibility of its forces,” she said.

Rosales also warned against any rash responses to the incident, stressing the urgency of passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“We urge those who are angling to scuttle the Mindanao peace process to desist from exploiting the noble sacrifice of our special forces to achieve their ulterior motives. If at all, this incident has impressed upon all stakeholders the urgency of passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” she said. Julie M. Aurelio