Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. FILE PHOTO BY ERIC APOLONIO
The government said it was "deeply saddened" with the death of at least 30 members of the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Forces who clashed with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Sunday.
But government chief negotiator for peace talks with the MILF Miriam Ferrer admitted that "better cooperation" could have prevented the clash.
Ferrer's statement also did not contain any message condemning the death of the SAF forces who were out to serve warrants of arrest on Malaysian bomb expert and top Jema'ah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who uses the alias Marwan.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the tragic encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao yesterday, January 25, involving the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police and various armed groups," Ferrer said.
"Based on the reports of our ceasefire mechanisms, all efforts are being exerted to retrieve the casualties and provide safe passage to other SAF personnel who remain in the affected areas. Members of the International Monitoring Team, the government's and the MILF's ceasefire committees, the 6th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the regional police are working closely together in these efforts," she added.
Ferrer praised the quick action of the ceasefire teams of both the government and the MILF.
"We regret however that due to the involvement of other armed groups, some intermittent fighting continued. Our aim is to normalize the situation as soon as possible in order to prevent the displacement of civilians and give full swing to the humanitarian effort," she said.
"This incident and other recent acts of violence by other armed groups manifest the diverse security challenges that confound the peace process. But our resolve to see through the process of legislating the Bangsamoro Basic Law and implementing the different normalization programs, including the security components, is only further strengthened. With better cooperation we will be able to prevent these kinds of incidents," Ferrer added.
Ferrer said the objective of arresting the growth of extremist cells lodging themselves in interior villages in Mindanao remains.
"We say to our fallen policemen: for your selfless courage, for your steadfastness in answering the call of duty, for your sacrifices in the name of peace, we salute and honor you. To their families and loved ones, we convey our deepest condolences," she said.
More than 1,000 individuals have been displaced by the fighting that erupted in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano Mayor Benzar Ampatuan reported.
Tukanalipao has quickly turned into a virtual ghost barangay after the residents scampered for safety out of fear of getting caught in the crossfire, said Mayor Ampatuan.
Aside from Tukanalipao, nearby barangays have also been affected, as villagers hurriedly gathered their belongings to prepare for temporary relocation, even as the mayor appealed to his village mates for calm as well as to exercise caution.
The ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM HEART) mobilized to extend relief assistance to the affected residents, with some 563 families being temporarily sheltered at the Madrasa School in Mamasapano.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/103776/govt-deeply-saddened-by-pnp-saf-milf-clash-in-maguindanao
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