Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday maintained that they did not know that wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin (Marwan) Hir and bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman were in their area in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
"Hindi ho namin alam na nandoon si Basit Usman at nandoon si Marwan," Iqbal replied when asked by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago if they can say "with a straight face that you and the MILF did not know" that Marwan and Usman "were operating in the MILF sphere of control."
Asked why the two high-value targets "felt safe" in the MILF or BIFF territory, and why the MILF did not interfere even if Marwan and Usman were just in an "adjacent territory," Iqbal said: "Sa community, karamihan doon po ay sibilyan ang mga nakatira doon."
"In a civilian community, you cannot compartmentalize the people, and then that granted na nandoon si Basit Usman, nagtatago [siya]," he added.
Authorities claimed killing Marwan in the operation, but Usman was able to escape. However, a total of 44 PNP-Special Action Force personnel were killed during the encounter with combatants from the MILF and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Figthers.
Authorities claimed killing Marwan in the operation, but Usman was able to escape. However, a total of 44 PNP-Special Action Force personnel were killed during the encounter with combatants from the MILF and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Figthers.
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