In the shadow of SAF 44: How about the Al Barka 19?
BAGUIO CITY — While the government is addressing the issues on the killing of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, past incidents such as the death of 19 elite Army soldiers in Al Barka, Basilan, in 2011 seem to have been forgotten.
“Kinalimutan na nung dapat magpursue. Kung pwede nga hindi rin mangyari yun ngayon dun sa Mamasapano,” (It has been forgotten by those who should pursue it. I hope it does not happen to Mamasapano) said former Army chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz.
Ortiz, who spoke at the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming at Fort del Pilar here Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, was the Army chief when 19 members of the Army Special Forces were killed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in October 2011 in Basilan.
The special forces operatives were reportedly going after a group of kidnappers near an MILF camp when attacked by rebels. Among those they were to arrest were Dan Asnawi, an MILF leader.
The outnumbered soldiers figured in long hours of clashes with MILF forces, who claimed that they were attacked within their territory.
At that time, the government was working on a peace agreement with the MILF and the operation required coordination with them.
The Mamasapano incident last January 25 was almost a similar case: Members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) launched a covert operation against terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman. Marwan and Usman were hiding in a camp of the MILF.
A total of 44 SAF members were killed after encountering members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The incident has led to criticisms of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF.
“Justice (for the Al Barka 19) has long been delayed,” Ortiz said.
Ironically, military officers involved in the operation have been court martialed and convicted over the deaths.
“Ang naparusahan tayo, pero yung sa kabila hindi. On the part sa mga tropa natin nakakaawa sila. Sila yung nag suffer,” (We got punished. The other side got away with it. Meanwhile, our troops are pitiful. They are the ones suffering) the former Army chief added.
He said they felt bad because it seemed a “one-sided justice.”
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