MILF says Mamasapano cases like ‘old wounds’ opened

OZAMIZ CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed disappointment over the filing of criminal charges against several of its members for the killing of 44 elite police commandos, saying it was like opening “old wounds.”

Several MILF members had been charged with the killings of the commandos during an operation to capture international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” on Jan. 25, 2015, in the town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao province.

“Old wounds should not be reopened anymore,” said MILF in a statement. “They should be allowed to rest because even a slight touch will only rip them open,” the guerrilla group added.

The MILF has entered into a peace agreement with the Aquino administration and is heeding a truce that is being monitored by an international group.

Fairness

“Our only wish is for government to be just,” said MILF. “They should apply justice fairly to all,” it added.

Aside from the 44 commandos, 17 Moro guerrillas and five civilians were also killed in Mamasapano, which witnesses during a Senate investigation described as a bungled operation that proceeded in violation of the chain of command.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered last week the filing of charges of direct assault with murder against several individuals for the deaths of the commandos.

They included five leaders of MILF’s armed component, Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces—Abdulrahman Abdulrakman Upan, Rakman, Refy Guiaman, Anife and Haumves alias Haves, and 83 others.

The DOJ resolution cited accounts of witnesses claiming they saw MILF members shoot police commandos who were in a defensive position.

MILF maintains its stance on the bloodshed as the result of a violation of a ceasefire agreement with the government.

Unaware

The guerrillas said they were simply defending themselves because they were unaware of the identities of the gunmen who entered Mamasapano and turned out to be elite police commandos.

“Weren’t the SAF (Special Action Force) commandos the attackers, ceasefire offenders and which branded a partner in peace, MILF, as enemy?” the MILF statement said.

It said prior to the Mamasapano clash, there was “almost zero” cases of ceasefire violation.

Then SAF Director Getulio Napeñas, in his testimony during hearings at the House and Senate, admitted bypassing the ceasefire mechanism because he did not trust the MILF.

The MILF said the SAF operated “in an area heavily occupied by MILF combatants and supporters.” Ryan D. Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao