EDITORIAL- ‘Just closure’

Three years ago, widows of 44 commandos of the elite police Special Action Force cried out for justice for their husbands. Yesterday, as they marked the anniversary of the SAF commandos’ deaths at the hands of Islamic militants, the widows bemoaned the long wait for justice.

Malacañang vowed to provide “just closure” as it commiserated with the bereaved families of the so-called SAF 44. The commandos were hunting down top Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in the marshy village of Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao when they walked into a massacre staged by those guarding their target: combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, its supposed breakaway faction the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and a private armed group. At least 18 MILF members and seven civilians also died in the daylong firefight.

Marwan, who had a $5-million bounty on his head, was killed, prompting the SAF to declare “Oplan Exodus” as “mission accomplished.” But the SAF lost 44 men in what senators described as murder and treachery on the part of the MILF. Video footage from what looked like smartphones showed some of the wounded being finished off by the militants and corpses being looted.

The slaughter raised questions, still not sufficiently answered, about the sincerity of the MILF in forging enduring peace. The government also failed to verify reports that high-powered sniper rifles were being manufactured by the MILF in Maguindanao.

Efforts to hold any official accountable for the deaths are crawling along, despite a Senate investigation that produced a long list of detailed recommendations and a parallel probe conducted by the Department of Justice. The Duterte administration appears to be pursuing another angle, and must make sure that this would not further slow down the pursuit of “just closure” for the fallen SAF 44. Delaying justice would make them victims twice over.