MILF recommends sanction for its commanders

MANILA, Philippines – Investigators of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have recommended disciplinary action against some of their erring commanders.

In a report publicized Tuesday, March 24, the probers acknowledged the MILF failed to “intercept and monitor” the entry of wanted terrorists near its controlled areas. 

While it continues to maintain that it had no knowledge of the presence of wanted terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir (Marwan) and Abdul Basit Usman in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the group noted “with concern” in their report a “glaring failure of intelligence” of the 105th and 118th base commands – the MILF units involved in the deadly January 25 firefight. 

The MILF report acknowledged that “a good intelligence operation should have enabled its base commands to detect and report” the presence of the two terrorists. 

“The laxity exhibited by the two Base Commands, perhaps influenced by the over confidence in the relative peace obtaining in their communities brought along by the ceasefire agreement with the govenrment and the signing of the CAB, should not go unnoticed. This attitude should not be tolerated,” the report said.  

The recommended disciplinary action covers erring officials of the 105th and 118th base commands – Zacario Goma and Wahid Tundok serve as the commanders of the MILF units, respectively. The report, however, did not identify who should be punished. 

The MILF leaders will be sanctioned not only over the wanted terrorists but also over their failure to monitor and report the entry of more than 300 members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 for the police operation against Marwan and Usman. 

No surrender

The rebel group, however, reiterated that it will not surrender any members found to be liable for the bloodbath that killed 44 elite cops, 17 MILF fighters, and 5 civilians because it continues to be a revolutionary group until the peace accord is fully implemented. 

Instead, erring MILF officials will be subjected to internal disciplinary action, according to the report.  

But aside from members on the ground, the report said the MILF leadership must also do more to ensure that its anti-terrorism policy is implemented in all areas. 

Some proposed measures include “spot checks” in the MILF’s armed wing. 

No to terrorism

Marwan’s and Usman’s huts were located in Barangay Pembalkan, Mamasapano, said to be the lair of MILF breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). It is located 3 kilometers from MILF communities, which includes Barangay Tukanalipao. The MILF report also included details on Marwan’s hut. 

Opposed to the peace process, the BIFF broke away from the MILF in 2010 after the rebel group decided to resume talks with the government. BIFF founder Ameril Umbra Kato used to be the commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command. 

Since 2005, the MILF, as an organization, denounced terrorism after reportedly having links with then feared Indonesia-based group Jemaah Islamiyah. 

The MILF signed a peace deal with the government in 2014 that aims to entrench a parliamentary autonomous government in Mindanao with more teeth than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

Congress was on track to pass the proposed law implementing the accord until the Mamasapano firefight occurred.  (Mamasapano: Time on target)

The House of Representatives is set to resume stalled deliberations on the measure – but not without reopening a probe into the deadly clash. 

In the Senate, the bill lost the support of two authors right after the incident erupted, depriving the bill of a sure majority come voting time. 

Meanwhile, the Senate report on Mamasapano, which tagged the incident as a massacre as opposed to an armed encounter, found President Benigno Aquino III responsible for the incident, and placed the “first sin” on the side of the MILF for “allowing themselves to coddle criminals and terrorists.” It has gained the signature of 20 senators, some expressing reservations and an intention to amend the report.

Read here the full text of the MILF report on the Mamasapano incident. – Rappler.com