Full probe findings for MILF's internal use -- Iqbal
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has no intention of making public the findings on its claimed investigation into the Mamasapano clash between members of the Special Action Force and its rebel army along with members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) nor does it intend to surrender any of its members involved in the massacre of 44 SAF commandos.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the most that it can give regarding its investigations is an executive summary of its findings to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Iqbal said the full report on the MILF investigation of the Mamasapano incident was “for internal use” of the rebel group.
Iqbal issued the statement in reply to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who said she wanted to get hold of the MILF full report soon to complete the picture on the Mamasapano incident as the Board of Inquiry of the Philippine National Police is expected to issue its report on Monday.
The MILF added in its website that it will not surrender its members involved in the Mamasapano clash where 44 members of the elite PNP-Special Action Force, 18 MILF combatants and five civilians perished, as surrendering them is not part of the ceasefire agreement signed between the GPH (government of the Philippines) and MILF peace panels.
Iqbal said the MILF should not be blamed for the deaths of police commandos during the armed encounter.
“We were not at fault. They came without any coordination in full-battle gear. The encounter happened ... and then after that, we are to blame?”, he said.
Iqbal also called on the public to look at the big picture regarding the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which legislators said the approval has become doubtful as a result of the Mamasapano incident.
“The BBL is key to the achievement of peace and the development and progress in
Iqbal had said a diluted BBL would result to complications as it will not resolve the Moro question.
“It’s the decision of the central committee that only the summary report will be given to all as the substance and quality of the summary is good,” he said.
Iqbal said aside from the DOJ, the summary will also be submitted to the Malaysian government and the government peace panel in that order.
“I hope they will understand us,” he said.
De Lima had said the government would like to see the details of the MILF report such as the basis of the findings.
While the DOJ does not have any document from the MILF, De Lima said she would not yet make a comment as the DOJ investigation is ongoing.
Likewise, De Lima also said that aside from what happened to the “SAF 44”, they are also investigating the case of the members of the MILF who were killed in the said encounter as well as the death of some civilians who were caught in the middle of the clash.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II added that, upon receipt, of the BoI report, he will immediately submit a copy of it to President Aquino and to the Senate.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director and BOI Chairman Gen. Benjamin Magalong had said the report will be submitted tomorrow to PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who will then submit the report to Roxas.
Apart from Malacanang and the Senate, a copy of the report will also be submitted to the National Poloice Commission (Napolcom), Department of Justice (DOJ), Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other investigating bodies.
Roxas said that he suggested to Magalong, in the presence of the OIC and the chief of the Directorial Staff Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, that the report should be able to answer the following questions: Was the plan well thought of?; Was everything done to ensure the safety of the troops?; Was the order of the President followed?; Was there any participation of the Americans in the operation?; Did the equipment, such as the radios, vests, guns, and bullets of the troops all performed efficiently?
“These are my questions and also those of the public,” Roxas said.
The BOI was created to look into the circumstances surrounding OPLAN Exodus, which was launched to neutralize two high-value targets: Zhulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman.
While Marwan was reported to have been killed in the operation, a total of 44 SAF operatives perished during the incident.
The BOI documented signed affidavits of SAF members, AFP officials, witnesses and other civilians, and conducted an on-site inspection of the incident.
Roxas himself submitted to the BOI as well as the Senate information about the exchange of text messages between him and the President.
Bangsamoro police part of PNP?
“The ?Bangsamoro police will not be a separate entity from the Philippine National Police (PNP). It will be set up as a regional command of the PNP similar to all other regional police commands in the country like the one in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer clarified, debunking allegations of unconstitutionality.
According to Ferrer, this is clearly stated in Article XVI, Section 2 of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“Consistent with the Constitution, the Bangsamoro police force will be under the command and direction of the PNP chief and the administrative control and supervision of the National Police Commission. The recruitment, training and promotion of personnel, the acquisition of firearms and other adjunct services shall remain under the PNP’s jurisdiction,” Coronel-Ferrer said.
The chief negotiator noted however that operational control of the Bangsamoro police will reside in the chief executive of the regional government.
“Operational control and supervision over the local police, including deployment of police units within the area or jurisdiction are powers given to local chief executives under the PNP law, or Republic Act 6975 as amended by Republic Act 8551,”
Coronel-Ferrer said. ?”In the proposed law, operational control and supervision of the Bangsamoro Police will be exercised by the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro.”
According to House Bill 4994, the ?Bangsamoro government shall have the primary responsibility for public order and safety within the region. Defense and security, however, shall be the responsibility of the Central Government.
Coronel-Ferrer also debunked the allegation that the MILF will automatically become part of the Bangsamoro police.
“There is no truth to such claims. ?The MILF combatants will not become the police force for the Bangsamoro, unless they apply and qualify as individuals,” Coronel-Ferrer said.
The chief negotiator explained that the regular hiring process for police officers is expected to be followed in the Bangsamoro. “It is also clearly stated in the proposed BBL that the matters of hiring and recruitment of Bangsamoro police are under the jurisdiction of the NAPOLCOM and the PNP,”? she said.
The main add-on to the current system is the creation of the Police Board made up of elected members of the Bangsamoro parliament and sectoral representatives, the Government panel chief clarified. The NAPOLCOM shall exercise administrative supervision of the Bangsamoro police through this Police Board, which shall serve as NAPOLCOM’s regional unit.
“We urge everyone to read Article XI on Public Order and Safety of the bill and not rely on misinformation peddled by irresponsible critics of the peace process,” Coronel-Ferrer said.
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