The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) cannot invoke the ceasefire agreement it signed with the Philippine government to protect its erring members involved in the Mamasapano incident from prosecution, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), said yesterday.
Rodriguez, a lawyer, said that once criminal charges are filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against those involved in the bloody clash that left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) police commandos dead in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last Jan. 25, the MILF should turn over to the government their members and commanders accused in the case.
“If cases are filed, we urge the MILF to surrender their involved members because if not, according to President Aquino, they will pursue the arrest of the people (who were involved),” he said in a media interview.
During last week’s Mamasapano probe in the House, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said they will invoke the ceasefire agreement, which provides that the parties shall impose sanctions on their respective personnel. He said it is within their jurisdiction to discipline their ranks.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima assured lawmakers that charges will be filed after they release their report on the Jan. 25 incident.
Rodriguez said the MILF should respect country’s laws since they are Filipinos and remain in Philippine territory.
Rodriguez said he wants to see the MILF charged over the Mamasapano incident. “I expect them to be charged. Based on the BOI (Board of Inquiry) and Senate reports, it was not a misencounter,” he said.
He said the erring MILF elements may also face charges of violation of the International Humanitarian law “because five of the SAF operatives were finished off even if they were already incapacitated.”
Manila Bulletin
