Palace won’t probe MILF’s alleged ties with Marwan, supposed war exercises

From GMA News (Feb 17): Palace won’t probe MILF’s alleged ties with Marwan, supposed war exercises

Malacañang will not launch its own probe on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) alleged links to Malaysian terrorist  Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, and the group’s supposed war exercises despite the peace process with the government.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said these matters should be tackled by various bodies investigating the infamous operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which left 44 police commandos dead.

"Batid natin na marami nang pagdinig na isinasagawa sa kasalukuyan kaya hinihintay natin ang kabuuan ng mga ito para mabatid ang buong katotohanan,” Coloma said when asked if the Palace plans to look into allegations against the MILF.

He encouraged individuals who have pieces of evidence against the MILF to submit these materials to bodies conducting probes, including Congress and the Philippine National Police's Board of Inquiry (BOI)

"Kung sino man po ang may impormasyon na makakatulong doon sa pag-alam ng katotohanan doon sa naganap noong Enero 24 at 25 doon sa Maguindanao, dapat lang siguro na isumite ito doon sa pagdinig na kasalukuyang ginaganap para makasama iyan sa pagturing ng mga mahahalagang kaganapan at sa pagbatid ng katotohanan,” he said.

Ties with Marwan?

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano presented a copy of the warrant of arrest and indictment filed by the United States government against Marwan's brother Rahmat Abdhir, as well as emails between the two brothers allegedly detailing Marwan's ties with the MILF.

During a Senate hearing last week, MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal denied that his group had coddled Marwan, who was killed in the Mamasapano operation.

A video footage obtained by GMA News meanwhile showed how MILF forces supposedly recruited members and conducted military exercises last year while peace talks with the Philippine government are ongoing.

Last year, the Philippine government and the MILF signed a comprehensive peace agreement, which seeks to create a new Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The peace deal, which will also specify wealth- and power-sharing arrangements between the national government and the Bangsamoro political entity, will be embodied in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law currently pending in Congress.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/439007/news/nation/palace-won-t-probe-milf-s-alleged-ties-with-marwan-supposed-war-exercises