The Association of Generals and Flag Officers Inc. (AGFO) on
Wednesday is calling for a swift and independent investigation of the killing
of the 49 Special Action Force (SAF) men in Maguindanao by combined Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters members
in Maguindanao Sunday.
Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan (ret), AGFO president and chair,
said the investigation must determine responsibility and demand justice for the
law enforcers.
"The AGFO condemns the killing of 49 policemen on Jan.
25 in Mamasapano, Province
of Maguindanao
The group also recommends the observance of national
mourning where the Philippine flag will be flown at half mast throughout the
country for one week, “to show the abhorrence of the nation and show support to
the rule of law and the nation’s men in uniform.
Adan also said that the government should demand the return
of all firearms stolen from the dead policemen and for the MILF leadership to
surrender the perpetrators within their ranks.
Founded 50 years ago, the 800-member AGFO is composed of
mostly retired and active duty generals and flag-ranked officers from the Armed
Forces of the Philippines
"This tragic disaster, happening as it did when the
government has demonstrated its willingness to accommodate the aspirations of
the Moro people underscores deeply the need to examine closely the security
implications of any final agreement with any armed rebel group like the
MILF," the AGFO chief stressed.
Adan said that the incident should not be forgotten that
even as negotiations are ongoing, the status of the MILF forces as a combatant
force that considers the Government forces as its enemy is real, as shown in
the Al Barka ambush of Army Scout rangers in Basilan in 2011 and many other
skirmishes.
The MILF has shown that it cannot or has limited control
over some of its forces and has rogue commanders over whom they have no real
authority.
“When the BIFF under Commander Kato broke away from its
ranks, the MILF leadership failed to take disciplinary action against it. Now
their forces are living together in the same area. The MILF leadership must
prove that it exercises authority and discipline over its commanders. Since the
objective is peace, the Government should be talking with the entity that has
control of elements who can wage war,” Adan added.
Last November, the AGFO presented its position paper on the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to the Ad Hoc Committee of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and
asked that firm provisions on disarmament and demobilization of the MILF forces
be included.
Fundamentally, “we want that the capability of the MILF to
wage war against the Government should be removed as a result of any peace
agreement," Adan said.
The AGFO also opposes the creation of any security force not
under the total command and control of the AFP or the PNP whose authority emanates
from the powers of the President as commander-in-chief.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=729916
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