MILF: Editorial--‘Coddling’ suspects in Ampatuan Massacre

Editorial from the MILF Website (Nov 23-30): ‘Coddling’ suspects in Ampatuan Massacre

It is very easy to make sweeping statement that as if the accused is already guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime imputed to it but when it comes to validating the allegation it is very difficult to prove. This case shows nakedness in the allegation of the National Press Club (NPC) that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is coddling the suspects in the Ampatuan Massacre. The NPC urged the Aquino administration to demand from the MILF to “surrender” all the other suspects in the infamous 2009 Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao as part of their confidence-building measure before the signing of any formal peace settlement. We do not fault the NPC for making such a proposal; it is not such a weird view that it has to be disposed off instantly. NPC has strong points in this respect. However, what are not factored-in by the NPC in making such a call are the following material points: 1) immediately, after the commission of the heinous crime on November 23, 2009, the MILF had immediately and officially condemned the crime and the perpetrators. The massacre is plain and pure simple criminal act that has nothing to do directly with GPH-MILF peace process. There is no existing mechanism that covers this matter, except by way of subsequent special arrangement by the MILF and government ceasefire committees to avoid misunderstanding and confrontation on the ground; 2) the suspects are not in the custody of the MILF; in fact, they are in their native places and amongst their relatives; and 3) the MILF will not stand in the way if government conducts manhunt or pursuit operations. The MILF will only invoke the right to be coordinated as per mechanisms of the ceasefire so require. We appeal to the NPC to do due diligent to verify its sources of information. That what it called “reliable information” as its source of information may not necessarily be reliable. For the information of the NPC, the MILF has no more “military camps” spread all over Mindanao. We have already abandoned the idea of fixed camping after the Estrada-declared all-out war in 2000. We can rest assure the NPC and its president Mr. Benny Antiporda that the MILF will not harbor criminals, but at the same, however, to tell him that every engagement between the MILF and the government is covered by agreed terms of reference.

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