FILE PHOTO: MILF Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines – Justice Sec. Leila De Lima sent a letter to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) asking for a copy of its investigation report on the Mamasapano incident.
MILF Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said yesterday that they already sent a reply to De Lima’s letter.
But according to the Secretary, she is yet to receive a response from the MILF.
De Lima earlier said that the MILF fighters and civilians involved in Mamasapano clash last January are included in the investigation of the joint National Bureau of Investigation and National Prosecution Services (NBI-NPS) Special Team.
“I haven’t seen it yet. But I don’t know to whom he sent it. Probably, he coursed it through CCH. It’s not yet on my desk,” she said.
“I wanted to send a follow up letter because we haven’t received any response. I have the draft follow up letter already. They have to give us the MILF report and it would be better if they really cooperate. Our investigation is balanced,” De Lima added.
Like the DOJ, PNP Board of Inquiry and Congress, MILF conducted its own investigation on the encounter.
De Lima said, it is important for DOJ to have a copy of the MILF investigation report for them to know who their casualties are and to see the proofs of their death.
She explained, proofs of death are needed in criminal cases.
“We are still hoping at this point that MILF will cooperate, since we want a balanced, impartial, objective investigation. We want to hear the side of the MILF. We want to see their report, their account of the incident,” she said.
De Lima is optimistic that the NBI and NPS will be able to conclude their investigation on the incident before the April 2 deadline. (Aiko Miguel / UNTV News)