Senior solons back joint fact-finding panel on Maguindanao mis-encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 27): Senior solons back joint fact-finding panel on Maguindanao mis-encounter

A group of congressmen on Tuesday said they supported calls for the creation of a joint fact-finding body which would conduct a deeper probe into the armed encounter involving alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF).

The lawmakers called on their colleagues, in the House of Representatives and the Senate not to make rash decisions which could completely obliterate ongoing efforts to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles admitted that the deadly attack against members of the elite SAF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that killed at least 43 operatives is now endangering the passage of the BBL following reports that those involved are members of the MILF.

Nograles, who is a member of the ad hoc panel on the BBL said that there are now concerns that the incident is a manifestation that the MILF leadership is not in full control of their armed followers in the ground but noted that there remains a strong commitment to pass the BBL which would make way for the creation of an autonomous Bangsamoro entity.

"We condemn in the strongest sense the killing in Maguindanao and will be calling a congressional inquiry into the incident. And the committee is demanding a full report from the PNP and the Philippine Army by February 2 on what really happened and all the details of the incident. In the meantime, the ad hoc committee will continue discussions on the BBL," he said.

"I cannot predict what will happen on February 2 when we receive the full report from the PNP and the AFP. The sentiment of the House might change. The issue here is Justice. How will justice be served for the SAF members who were senselessly killed and what about their family members? We cannot just sweep this under the rug. Those responsible for the killing must be brought to justice. They must have their day in court," he added.

Nograles said the ad hoc body has agreed that in the meantime, discussions will continue and the vote on the BBL will be done by the ad hoc committee on February 17 but agreed with the proposals that a joint fact-finding body must be created at once to look deeper into what really happenedd that led to the carnage.

He expressed hopes however that as a sign of good faith the MILF must surrender those responsible, and justice according to Philippine law and our criminal justice system must be served.

"This is a test case for the BBL. If under our present system we cannot serve justice, how can we be assured that the Philippine justice system will work once the BBL is passed? This is a question of trust, which is the underlying principle that must govern the BBL," Nograles explained.

Liberal Party Secretary General and Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento also expressed support for the creation of the joint fact-finding body to ensure that the truth behind the incident would truly come out especially because there are reports that there were some operational lapses particularly on the aspect of coordination when the SAF operatives were deployed on a mission to go after wanted terrorists.

The involvement of the MILF in the fact-finding panel should expedite the work of gathering all the information and the evidence needed so that the government can draw up measures on how to avoid such armed encounters in the future, Sarmiento said.

"This will definitely ensure the MILF's cooperation. The involvement of the MILF in the probe is extremely important to ensure that all parties involved will have a free exchange of information which would give light as to what really happened," he added.

Sarmiento stressed that while the incident must be condemned, it is also equally important that all stakeholders should cool their heads first before making any decision in relation to the BBL and in making the appropriate government response.

"Our actions should be based on reason. We should not make any rash decisions which could put to waste years of hard work to secure peace in Mindanao," Sarmiento pointed out.

"On the contrary, this unfortunate incident should inspire us even more to work harder to ensure that efforts by both the government and the MILF to finally forge a permanent and lasting solution to the secessionist problem in the Mindanao comes into fruition," he concluded.

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