AFP to adopt 'transitional justice' in dealing with wanted MILF fighters

From GMA News (Jan 30): AFP to adopt 'transitional justice' in dealing with wanted MILF fighters

The military will use “transitional justice” in dealing with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members with pending arrest warrants, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Wednesday.

“We support 'yung peace process, but we also are after 'yung justice, 'yung rule of law,” Bautista told reporters. “Kaya nga pinag-uusapan 'yung transitional justice mechanism natin ito.”

Bautista did not elaborate on transition justice, which is an approach to achieving justice in times of transition from conflict.

“These matters are in fact being discussed under the framework agreement… The panels are meeting. In fact, one of the things discussed is transitional justice. So, let's wait for the final outcome of the negotiations,” he said.

He was referring to the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which will pave the creation of a new political entity in Mindanao. Government and MILF negotiators are in the process of finalizing the annexes and other details of the agreement.

The military chief gave the statement weeks after Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, made a public appearance with MILF commander Dan Laksaw Ansawi in Basilan for a peace dialogue.

A picture published in a newspaper showed Galvez embracing Asnawi, who had been linked to the July 2007 killing of 14 Marine soldiers—10 of them beheaded—in Al Barka town in Basilan.

Asnawi has pending arrest warrants for various atrocities, including the October 2011 killing of 19 Special Forces officers and men in Al Barka town.

Bautista reiterated that both the government and the MILF are concerned about the peace process and rule of law. “There is an understanding na kailangang merong transitional justice,” he said.

Asked if the discussions on the “transitional justice” have virtually suspended the enforcement of arrest warrants against MILF rebels with pending arrest warrants, Bautista said it is better to wait for the final outcome of the negotiations.

“There is no final outcome yet on the negotiations. Let's just wait for the negotiations, on what will be the disposition of those issues,” he said.

“We must be very patient in this,” Bautista added. “It's not an easy thing and gaya ng nasabi ko, it's better that we talk about this issue rather than fight over this issue.”

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/292637/news/nation/afp-to-adopt-transitional-justice-in-dealing-with-wanted-milf-fighters