Bangsamoro Transition Authority Chairman Mohagher Iqbal (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines – Humarap na sa ikatlong pagdinig ng Senado sa Mamasapano clash si Bangsamoro Transition Authority Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, Huwebes.
Nagpa-abot si Iqbal ng pakikiramay sa mga pamilya ng 44 na SAF members pati na rin sa 18 MILF na nasawi sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Sinabi ni Iqbal na hindi umano planado ng MILF ang nangyaring engkwentro at kumilos lamang ang mga ito bilang depensa.
Ipinahiwatig din ni Iqbal na hindi makatarungan na isisi ng gobyerno sa MILF ang pagkakapatay ng SAF commandos.
“MILF was not the only group that was present in the area. The SAF fought other armed individuals belonging to different networks and groups. The delicate task of finding out who did that, especially the reported atrocities cannot immediately be blamed on the MILF. That would be unfair.”
Sinubukan din umano ng MILF na magkaroon kaagad ng ceasefire sa bakbakan subalit nagkaroon umano ng communication failure.
Ayon kay Iqbal, kasalukuyan na rin aniyang ini-imbestigahan ng MILF special investigation team ang naturang isyu.
Samantala, nilinaw naman ni Iqbal na magkaiba ang grupong MILF at BIFF at hindi rin umano sila nagkasundo para magsama sa nangyaring engkwentro.
Hindi rin umano totoo na may ugnayan ang MILF sa ilang terrorist groups na nagsagawa ng kidnapping sa ibang bansa taliwas sa napapabalita.
Handa umano nilang patunayan ito sa pamahalaan.
Sen. Miriam: “Is the MILF willing to surrender the rogue leaders who lead what appeared to be a carnage and join the government in chasing down Usman and other terrorist suspects? Tutulong ba kayo sa gobyerno?”
Iqbal: “From the beginning 1997 up to today we have bound by mechanisms. We have the AHJAG, we are bound by that mechanisms.”
Sen. Miriam: “This is answerable by yes or no, are you willing to help the government to chase down Usman and other terrorists?”
Iqbal: “Yes. we will help.”
Nanawagan din si Iqbal na huwag tratuhin na terorist group ang MILF.
“The MILF is against all forms of terrorism. We have made a solemn vow to fight terrorism in our areas. Terrorism is inconsistent with Islam and has no place in the orientation and principles of the MILF,” saad nito.
Ipinaliwanag din ni Iqbal ang nauna nitong pahayag na mananatiling revolutionary organization ang MILF hangga’t hindi pa naipatutupad ang proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Aniya, nangangako silang magkakaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa MILF kung pagbibigyan na ng pamahalaan ang matagal na nilang ninanais na awtonomiya.
“Kapag naimplement po ang Bangsamoro Basic Law, ang mangyayari po sa MILF, it will no longer be a revolutionary government but it will become a social movement that will help the people through building health centers, schools etc,” saad pa ni Iqbal. (Joyce Balancio / UNTV News)