MANILA, Philippines – While it appreciates the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s return of some firearms taken from the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in the  Mamasapano clash, Malacañang said it is awaiting more “concrete manifestations” from the rebel group to further prove its commitment to the peace process.

On Wednesday, February 18, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr told reporters that the move taken by the MILF only “partially meets the call of President Aquino for the MILF to show concrete manifestation of their support to the on-going Bangsamoro Peace Process.”

Coloma said that the President has made other requests to the MILF leadership following the bloody clash, and that non-compliance with these “requests” would suggest a lack of commitment on the part of the MILF.

“The other concrete manifestations expected from the MILF are the following: (1) Support and non-interference to efforts to capture Basir Usman; (2) Identification and prosecution of those involved in the slaying of the members of SAF-44; and (3) Return of the other firearms and equipment which were taken from the members of the PNP-SAF,” Coloma said.

Responding to questions, Coloma said that if the MILF does not comply with all of the government’s requests, “then that means they are not fully cooperating with or in unity with our government.”

Coloma said, however, that the return of the MILF firearms – as stated by government chief negotiator Miriam Colonel-Ferrer – “is a sign of goodwill and commitment to the peace process.”

Earlier Wednesday, the MILF returned 16 firearms seized from SAF members during the deadly clash with rebel forces in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao. A total of 63 firearms were lost during the Mamasapano operation, according to a police report.

Some 392 SAF commandos entered Mamasapano town on January 25, a known bailiwick of the MILF, to serve arrest warrants to top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, or Marwan, and Usman.

The operation claimed at least 68 lives, including 44 SAF troopers, 18 MILF members, and 3 civilians. The MILF blames this on the SAF team’s failure to coordinate with them, as provided in its ceasefire agreement with the government on operations in known MILF territories. 

The incident occurred less than a year after the MILF signed a landmark peace deal with the Philippine government, and as lawmakers deliberate on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which seeks to create an autonomous region initially headed by the MILF – and has lost support among lawmakers after the incident. – Rappler.com