The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is considering returning the firearms of the 44 Special Action Force troopers slain in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal said early Friday that while there is no "final" decision, he believes the decision could be "positive."
"There is no final decision yet, but mostly I think the decision will be positive," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
FLASH: MILF, ikinokonsidera ang pagbabalik ng mga armas ng Spec'l Action Force, ayon kay MILF peace panel chair Iqbal
He added the MILF is "seriously considering" returning "some if not all" the firearms in its custody.
Last week, the MILF claimed 18 of its fighters were also killed in the Jan. 25 clash.
The 44 police officers from PNP-SAF were killed during an 11-hour firefight with members of MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The PNP-SAF was then conducting an operation to serve arrest warrants against Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Commander Marwan and Filipino bomb maker and Abu Sayyaf member Basit Usman.
Philippine National Police OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina on Thursday renewed calls to the MILF to return the SAF men's firearms and other items.
"Tandaan ninyo [ang] usaping peace process. Huwag ninyo na sanang dagdagan pa. May mga namatay na nga," he said.
Malacañang on Monday said the MILF should return the firearms reportedly taken from the PNP-SAF during the clash.
“Kung talagang hindi ito ninanais nila, it would be good for them to surrender to us or to return to us the firearms of those fallen 44,” presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda told reporters.
He added that the MILF, which signed a peace deal with the Philippine government last year, “must demonstrate its sincerity that they are full partners in the peace process.”
“We certainly will encourage them to help us find things that we need to search for the truth,” the Palace official said.
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief negotiator of the government panel in the peace talks with the MILF, on Thursday said the return of the firearms taken from the SAF troopers is part of MILF's commitment to the peace process, which involves the decommissioning of arms.
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief negotiator of the government panel in the peace talks with the MILF, on Thursday said the return of the firearms taken from the SAF troopers 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, 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 committed to do it and they have the initial steps to actually start off the process of decommissioning," Ferrer said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.