MILF, NBI to meet on Mamasapano probe

From Rappler (Mar 9): MILF, NBI to meet on Mamasapano probe

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and NBI personnel will also inspect the site of the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on March 10

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is set to visit Mamasapano, Maguindanao, again on Tuesday, March 10, after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership agreed to speak to the government’s fact-finding panel on the Mamasapano clash.

“Sumagot na rin ang MILF leadership na makikipag-dialogue sa amin, so tatanungin ko sila kung may report na ba sila, natapos na ba nila,” De Lima told reporters on Monday. (The MILF leadership has agreed to have a dialogue with us, so I’ll ask them if they have completed their own report [on the incident].)

De Lima said the fact-finding team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) National Prosecution Service will first speak with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and proceed to inspect the clash site in Barangay Tukanalipao, where 44 police commandos, 18 MILF fighters, and at least 3 civilians died on January 25.

“I’m still really gathering my thoughts on what exactly to discuss, [but] I’m gonna personally relate to them our intention that what we are doing is a very balanced investigation and therefore, I would appeal anew for their cooperation, especially since they are saying there were also victims from their side,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

De Lima said it would be important for the MILF to provide the NBI panel the names of the slain MILF members and proofs of their death so proper charges are filed against those responsible. (READ: De Lima: SAF to be investigated too for MILF deaths)

“It would be better if they cooperate so that our investigation is balanced,” she said.

Iqbal said over the weekend that the MILF central committee had decided to give the justice department only an executive summary of the results of the rebel group’s own probe into the incident. He said even the government peace panel and the Malaysian government, which is facilitating the peace talks, would get the same executive summaries.

The NBI team had to postpone an earlier plan to conduct an ocular inspection of the clash site after the military advised them of skirmishes between Moro rebel groups, particularly between the MILF and its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, as well as the armed forces’ offensive against the BIFF.

The national police sent its elite troops to Mamasapano to arrest terrorist Marwan, whom they were able to kill. As they exited the area, however, they were blocked by BIFF and MILF and members of other armed groups.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/86227-milf-nbi-dialogue-mamasapano-probe