The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) denied that brutality marked the killing of members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) during the bloody encounter in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao this past weekend.
BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama claimed that PNP-SAF members were not treated cruelly and the wounds suffered by government troops were from the clash, according to a GMA News' "24 Oras" report on Tuesday.
At least 44 members of the PNP-SAF were killed when a police operation to arrest suspected Jemaah Islamiya bomb maker Zulkifli Bin Hir and Abu Sayyaf member Abdul Bassit Usman turned into a firefight with rebels.
A survivor had earlier said that the rebels took away uniforms and night vision goggles from the police officers. The survivor also said that rebels also used firearms of SAF personnel to shoot them at a close range.
But the BIFF confirmed that they have 10 guns from PNP-SAF members currently with Commander Marok. They have no plans of returning the guns.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Mamasapano as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the BIFF were said to have increased their forces in the area to prepare for a pursuit operation from government forces.
To ease tension, government troops have been asked to stay in Brgy. Tukanalipao in Mamasapano.
Checkpoints in the area were also removed. The CCCH is talking to MILF commanders to ask them not to reinforce their forces. They are also telling the group that they are not subject of government pursuit operations.
"Kung walang ceasefire 'yun, it will escalate. Kasi marami na nag-reinforce na reported na MILF. May mga spillover pa 'yan, kasi the MILF might feel na talagang atake na sa kanila 'yan," Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) chairman Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.