Administration senators won't withdraw support to Bangsamoro law

MANILA, Philippines - Pro-administration senators Teofisto Guingona III and Bam Aquino are not withdrawing their support at once for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) despite the bloody encounter between police and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Mindanao, where 44 elite cops were killed.

“I think we should still pursue the BBL in light of all the things that happened,” said Aquino, who is a first cousin of the President.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and JV Ejercito have withdrawn their support for the Bangsamoro law.

Senate President Franklin Drilon remained optimistic that the BBL will also surpass the constitutional challenge posed by concerned sectors.

The BBL discussions will also address the decommissioning or disarmament of arms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and maintaining the chain of command at the Philippine National Police as the main law enforcement authority in the country.

Aquino explained that the Bangsamoro measure is still in the process of deliberations at the committee level, and any amendments or revisions can still be introduced if needed.

“I am just hoping that we won’t have a gut feel reaction to immediately drop the issue (peace process),” he said.

However, Aquino said the authorities should go after those responsible in giving a green light for the highly-covert police operation that turned awry lastn weekend.

Asked if the inquiry should reach up to Malacanang, Aquino said the deaths of many members of the elite force cannot just be put under the rug as the administration pushes for the success of the peace process.

“I mean, people died. We cannot just ignore that fact. That has to be investigated and if there are charges that need to be filed, and they have to be filed,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he would rather wait for those concerned to answer the questions regarding the police operations once the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs starts the inquiry next week.

Public order committee chairperson Sen. Grace Poe has set the first hearing on the controversy on February 11. Apart from Poe, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Teofisto Guingona III also filed separate resolutions to investigate the Mamasapano encounter.

“In order to avoid distractions from the peace process and prevent the indiscriminate and wholesale condemnation of the people of Mindanao for the actions of a few violent persons, we need to shed light on the facts surrounding the law enforcement operation that caused the injuries and death to those involved,” Guingona’s resolution 1136 read.

Guingona added that there is a need to accurately determine the nature, scope, and objective of the operation and identify those responsible for the unnecessary loss of lives.

Guingona has reiterated his appeal for sobriety.

Guingona and Aquino are members of administration Liberal Party.

In her resolution, Poe noted that the deaths of the Special Action Force's members “indicate possible lapses in tactics and training on the part of the PNP-SAF, and possible deficiencies in the PNP-SAF’s operational doctrines, equipment and resources.”

Poe said the incident calls for a more definite delineation of the functions and responsibilities of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in particular relation to operations against wanted criminals, who may be found in areas occupied or controlled by rebel groups.

The senators filed the resolutions in the wake of reports that suspended police chief Director General Alan Purisima had bypassed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III in planning the arrest of Marwan and his local cohort, Basit Usman, last weekend.

Purisima went directly to President Aquino, whom sources revealed, had approved the conduct of the operations.

Purisima was hoping that the big accomplishment will give him another chance to get the helm of the top police leadership after he was unceremoniously suspended in connection with a bungled firearms contract.