CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP and PNP massacre 9 Moros

Article from the English language edition of the CPP online propaganda publication Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jun 7):
AFP and PNP massacre 9 Moros

Under The Guise of “war against drugs,” combined forces of the 7th IB and PNP North Cotabato massacred 9 moros, including seven members of the 105th Base Command of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front and 2 minor civilians. The incident occurred at Sitio Biao, Barangay Kilada, Matalam, North Cotabato last May 26. Relatives of the victims were also arrested.

The massacre took place four days before Congress approved the Bangsamoro Basic Law. The victims were identified as Dadting M. Hassan, Muhamidin A. Hassan, Konne A. Hassan, Burrah S. Salping, Muhalidin S. Salping, Tiyo Mantik, Orom Mantis, Deng Malunok and a certain Abu.

Butch Malang, chairperson of MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) condemned the massacre. He said that this is a violation of human rights and the provisions of the Operational Guidelines of the Government of the Philippines and the MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities. Based on their investigation, there was no shabu found in the area. He also added that no firefight took place since the PNP and AFP already disarmed the victims while some of them were asleep when they were shot.

Malang also slammed the failure of state forces to coordinate with the MILF on operations within their territories despite series of meetings for coordination and cooperation last May 25 and May 11 which was attended by the chief of the PNP North Cotabato himself. Government units are tasked to coordinate with the MILF and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group as protocol for their the anti-drug operations.

In the documentation by KAWAGIB on Tuesday, residents of Purok Biao, Barangay Kilada belied the accusation that the victims were drug users and pushers. They said that 70 police and army authorities first conducted the raid on May 25 and followed it up with another operation the next day, where they raided the house of Dadting Hassan. Around 50 families evacuated from the community fearing more attacks from the PNP and AFP.

For Suara Bangsamoro, the Matalam massacre is no different from the growing number of cases of killings and massacre under the Duterte regime. Before the incident in Matalam, state forces also killed Mindatu Aminola, another MILF member from Barangay Olonoling, Tupi, South Cotabato on May 19. Last year, AFP and PNP elements also massacred three members of MILF in Barangay Koronadal Proper, Polomok, South Cotabato.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan is published fortnightly.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/ang_bayan/20180607-afp-and-pnp-massacre-9-moros/