Senate President Franklin M. Drilon challenged the
leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to demonstrate its
partnership with the government by surrendering to authorities Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) commander Basit Usman and all those involved in
the unfortunate and unwarranted bloody encounter that killed dozens of members
of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) last January 25.
“This act of goodwill, if demonstrated, will without a
shadow of a doubt prove the MILF's sincerity and support to the government’s
peace and development program,” he emphasized.
He said that the MILF should fully cooperate with
government’s efforts in investigating and bringing justice to the victims of
Mamapasano attacks, so that doubts and reservations formed as a result of the
bloody attack can be erased, and confidence and faith in the peace process can
again be restored.
"If they will surrender the suspects in these heinous
acts and help arrest Usman, the MILF will show that they are one with the
government in the pursuit of genuine and lasting peace, and that the government
has made the right decision in negotiating a peace pact with them, because they
are and will always be on the side of justice and harmony," Drilon stressed.
“This is a test of sincerity on the part of the MILF on the
one hand, and a test of faith in the peace process on the part of the
government and the Filipino people, on the other hand,” said Drilon.
The Senate leader underscored that the MILF, as a partner of
the government in its peace initiative, should not block but instead assist the
police authorities in arresting the likes of Usman, a notorious bomb expert
with links to the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, who has been the subject of
law enforcement operations for years.
"The January 25 police operation was a chance to
finally arrest Usman and Zulkipli "Marwan" Hir, but our policemen had
been foiled, and lost their lives in a tragic and deadly event," he added.
The government must apply the full force of the law to bring
justice to the families of the slain policemen, Drilon emphasized.
Drilon also reiterated that the bloody encounter,
condemnable as it is, should not weaken the resolve of each and every Filipino
to aspire and work for genuine and lasting peace for their brothers and sisters
in Mindanao .
“Peace is never easy. Let us not give up,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=729900
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