Still on war footing?
The President has gone on national TV to explain what he knows, and does not know regarding the bloody encounter between members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and the MILF, or even the BIFF at Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Saturday and Sunday. Here is what we know so far. There is a standing warrant of arrest since 2002 for Zulfiki bin Hir aka "Marwan", and Basit Usman, two known bomb makers who are also wanted internationally and not just here in the Philippines. In fact, there is a bounty on their heads to the tune of millions of dollars. The SAF were in fact doing their sworn duty as police officers in capturing the two terrorists. They had intelligence regarding the location of both, so they sought out to arrest them. A "go-signal" was not needed because of the outstanding warrants. It so happens that their location lies within territory controlled by the MILF. According to the President, here is where the problem lies. There was no coordination between the SAF, and the MILF with regards to an operation to capture the terrorists. The head of the SAF has been sacked for this.
A firefight ensued upon finding Marwan. But because they already lost the element of surprise, the SAF decided to retreat. This is where they encountered the MILF forces who were alerted by the gunfire. A bloody battle rages on until forty-four SAF police officers lay dead with several wounded. So the question arises, why is the MILF engaging government forces at a time when an historic agreement for lasting peace had already been forged between them? Part of that agreement would be the disbanding of armed groups and the surrendering of their arms. Obviously the armed groups are intact, and judging by what I saw on TV, they are very well armed.
What we have heard from the MILF is that the forces reacted on self-defense. But were they targets of the SAF? No. They were doing their duty as law enforcers. I sincerely doubt they were there to engage the MILF. What even complicates the [problem is the report that members of the BIFF joined the firefight. The BIFF are technically still considered enemies of the state. If the SAF engaged the BIFF, then it was a legitimate encounter. But the MILF? Did the MILF help the BIFF in trying to wipe out the SAF? And why is the BIFF active in an area apparently controlled by the MILF? Do they have their blessings to operate in the area? To continue the things the MILF can no longer do because of the agreement? And why are the two terrorists in the same said area controlled by the MILF?
We have asked the right questions. The MILF must now come up with answers. It does not help that stories are now coming out that the dead and wounded bodies of the SAF were violated, robbed, stripped of their uniforms and even kicked and stomped in the head. Why this kind of treatment? Is it not enough that they are already dead or wounded, that they have to be treated this way? Again, between parties co-signatory to a peace agreement.
The ball is in the MILF's court. They have to answer for the actions of their men. Yes, there was no coordination, and the SAF paid dearly for that. But is that enough to warrant a bloodbath? Could the carnage have been avoided in the field since there already is a peace agreement? They controlled the area, so they could have easily blocked the retreat of the SAF, and then ask what they were doing there. Obviously, the MILF is still on war footing. Why is that?
So many questions we may not even receive answers for. All are in agreement that the peace process must go on. But the families of the slain policemen also need answers, and justice.
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