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Iqbal: MILF report on Mamasapano clash to pass through third party facilitator Malaysia

February 24, 2015 Philippine Local News BBL • Mamasapano • MILF • SAF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s report on the Mamasapano clash will not be directly given to the Philippine government as it has to pass through Malaysia, the third party facilitator in the peace negotiations, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Tuesday.

“May protocol yan. we are still talking, we have a panel, we have a third party facilitator. So normally, ang procedure namin e yung mga documents, exchange of documents, it has to pass through the facilitator, yun ang procedure namin,” Iqbal told reporters before the start of the Senate probe on the bloody Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash.

The Mamasapano operation was aimed at neutralizing suspected Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and alleged Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman. Authorities claimed killing Marwan but Usman was able to escape.

The operation cost the lives of 44 PNP-Special Action Force commandos and 18 MILF fighters.

Iqbal earlier said their investigation on the encounter is already 90 to 95 percent done.

He also said that he would no longer ask for an executive session as stated in the letter he earlier sent to the committee.

“There is no need for me to ask for an executive session. I’ve disclosed it already in open session,” he said.

Meanwhile in a separate interview, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reiterated that there is no demand yet from the government for the MILF to surrender their members involved in the encounter.

But, for the sake of good faith, the MILF should expressed readiness to do it at the proper time, De Lima said.

“Wala pang kapangyarihan to compel the surrender of MILF members. Kung gusto ipakita ng MILF ang good faith, napakalaking confidence building measure kung ngayon palang magpahayag na sila na isusurender ang mga miyembro sa tamang panahon,” said De Lima.

As of posting time, the Senate panel headed by Sen. Grace Poe was still conducting an executive session with military and police officials regarding the Mamasapano clash.

Source: GMA News