The head of the government's peace panel said Thursday that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is leading an internal investigation for the return of the firearms and other items taken from troopers of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force who fell in a clash in Maguindanao on Jan. 25.
"That has been a pending request. Of course, we understand they are still doing their investigation and we know it's going on now," chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer told GMA News Online on Thursday.
She also added that the return of the SAF weapons is part of MILF's commitment to the peace process, which involves the decommissioning of arms.
Although giving up their weapons will not be easy, MILF peace panel head Mohager Iqbal said to push through with it, Ferrer said.
"He said it has to be done. I think he said that in relation to the decommissioning so they actuallly signed the agreement. They knew it was difficult but they committted to do it and they have the initial steps to actually start off the process of decommissioning," Ferrer said.
In fact, before the Mamasapano incident happened and both parties flew to Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 29 to discuss the details of the decommissioning, MILF had already submitted the list of their firearms.
Surrender fighters?
When asked if the MILF is willing to surrender the fighters who were involved in the clash in Mamasapano town, Ferrer said that there must be due process for the government to request that.
"There has to be due process for that and a clearer understanding as to what exactly happened. We don't know the exact charges filed against them since the Board of Inquiry is undergoing its investigation," she said.
Members of the MILF, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Figters splinter group, and private armed groups in Maguindanao have been accused of mutilating the fallen SAF policemen, prompting relatives and lawmakers to call for justice.
However, Ferrer stressed that both sides suffered losses in the fighting.
"The killing that happened was a gun battle. Both sides suffered losses. We need to take a look at the circumstances which distinguish it from a simple case of murder or homicide. That's something for the investigators to see and allow due process to kick in," she said.
The chief negotiator stood firm that according to the rules of war, none of the combatants on either side should have been "killed off".
"In terms of the gun battle itself, we can presume that the SAF was outnumbered. But as far as other actions that may have been done, for instance, if one combatant was wounded he should not have been killed," Ferrer said.
MILF has cooperated with government forces in the past
Meanwhile, she also said that the government's request for cooperation in capturing the main targets — Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman — was made years ago.
"That kind of request has been submitted to the MILF way back in 2011. The operations against Basit Usman have been going on for years. In fact, there have been many operations in the past in different parts of Mindanao, in Sulu, in Lanao, also in different parts of Maguindanao precisely to look after Marwan and Basit Usman. There has been cooperation and coordination going in most of these past operations.
"It's an understanding that's always been there. That security cooperation has been enhanced. I am sure that our Armed Forces in the ground remain in touch with their friends in the MILF (to capture Usman)," the government's chief negotiator said.
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