Some Muslims think that senators don’t consider them their constituents, says the rebel group’s first vice chairman Ghazali Jafaar
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 2014 Philippines Development Forum (PDF) on Bangsamoro at the Function Room 2 of the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Barangay San Antonio, Agdao District, Davao City on Thursday (November 06, 2014). PDF is a venue where the government’s development plans are presented mainly before development partners, such as the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan Bank for International Cooperation and other bilateral institutions, to gather support. Also in photo are Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal, MILF vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo
Bureau)
Don’t scrap the promise of peace because of a bloody police operation, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appealed to government.
Jafaar was referring to “Oplan Exodus,” a January 25 police operation in Mamasapano town, this province, that killed Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir (alias Marwan) but also took the lives of 65 others, including 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF). (WATCH: Aerial view of the PNP-SAF clash site in Mamasapano)
With the role of MILF fighters in the clash still being investigated, lawmakers have agreed to delay the passage of the proposed law that would expand the autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao, giving it more powers and resources initially under the administration of the MILF.
During extrication operation on January 25, SAF troopers found themselves in an encounter with fighters from the MILF, its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and members of private armed groups.
The MILF blamed the heavy toll and what it initially called a “misencounter” on the failure of the PNP to coordinate with the MILF before operating in the area, which was controlled by the MILF and the BIFF.
There is a debate now among policy makers whether an operation against a high value target like Marwan was covered by the requirement for prior coordination under the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF.
Police investigators in Mamasapano
The PNP has since launched an investigation into the incident. Members of the PNP Board of Inquiry were in Central Mindanao to wrap up their investigation.
On Tuesday, the BOI visited parts of the encounter site in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano.
On Wednesday, Jafaar escorted the BOI and members of the media to the MILF headquarters in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao.
Police officials were set to speak with MILF 108th base camp commander Wahid Tundok, who later refused to be interviewed by investigators. A month since, the encounter looms over ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF. It has also put in the spotlight President Benigno Aquino III and his buddy, resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima. Purisima sat in briefings prior to the operation and was giving the President updates on the day of the operation despite his being suspended due to a graft case.
Jafaar admitted that local Muslims were hurt and slighted over anti-Muslim sentiments thrown around in Manila, particularly insinuations at Senate hearings that Muslims cannot be trusted as peace partners.
“Sabi ng mga Muslins, ‘Eh citizens rin kami ng Republic of the Philippines. Bakit kami ginaganito? Wala na ba kaming karapatan?’” Jafaar said. (The Muslims are saying, “We’re also citizens of the Republic of the Philippines. So why are we being treated this way? Don’t we have rights too?)
“Kung may namatay sa SAF, marami ring namatay sa MILF. So tingin nila sa ibang mga senators, itong mga Muslims hindi kabilang sa constituents nila,” he added. (MILF members also died. Some Muslims think that these senators don’t consider them their constituents.)
The MILF leadership has claimed that their fighters died trying to help the SAF fight the BIFF and other armed groups, but a Mindanews interview with one of their ground commanders indicated this might not be the case.
Two senators have withdrawn as co-authors of the BBL while the House of Representatives has postponed all hearings pending its own probe of the Mamasapano incident. Both chambers of Congress are saying the original timetable for the passage of the bill will not be followed anymore, as they will also review the provisions more closely.
Senate hearings on the Mamasapano clash have repeatedly featured heated exchanges between senators and members of the peace panel, the MILF, and even Mindanao officials on the proposed Bangsamoro law.
“Ngayon, pinakalma namin sila. Meron tayong organization na nakikipag-usapan. Ang importante, solid kayo, suportahan ninyo ang leadership ng MILF,” added Jafaar. (We're asking them to calm down. We have an organization in the peace process. The important thing here is that they continue to support the leadership of the MILF)
http://www.rappler.com/nation/85044-milf-bangsamoro-law-mamasapano
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