Lack of coordination Dureza to talk with Bato on MILF issue

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 19): Lack of coordination Dureza to talk with Bato on MILF issue

SEC. JESUS Dureza, presidential adviser for peace process, has expressed concern on the reported excessive use of force by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against leaders of the military wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

In an interview at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Dureza frowned at the apparent lack of coordination between government and forces of the MILF in the Bangsamoro territories.

“There appears to be a lack of coordination,” Dureza said, adding he would speak with PNP Director Ronald dela Rosa soon to clarify the operational procedures.

“We don’t want another Mamasapano,” he added.

Earlier this week, BIAF chief of staff Sammy Al-Mansour cried foul on the alleged operations conducted by the PNP.

“The leadership of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the military wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), views with grave concern and alarm the recent spate of operations conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against legitimate officers and members of the BIAF in various places in the Bangsamoro Homeland,” Al-Mansour said.

The BIAF accused the PNP of ignoring protocols, with operatives even wearing bonnets “as if they were hooded gangsters,” he said.

“Obviously, standard operating procedures, such as the presentation of arrest warrants, if there be any, were grossly disregarded by raiding PNP elements,”

Al Mansour said. “Against this backdrop, we cannot help but ask if another concerted plan is in the offing to sabotage the peace process?”

Both sides agreed that the police should have followed protocols that have been established over 17 years to prevent armed encounters.

Among these are the creation of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Groups (AHJAGs).

“As in the present alarming situation, the raids of the PNP against BIAF members, if left unabated, may escalate tension and spark violent armed encounters,” the BIAF statement said.

 

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