Manila: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) announced its readiness to assist in the neutralisation of Abdul Basit Usman in an apparent effort to appease government and sceptics in the wake of the Mamasapano incident.
“The Ad Hoc Joint Action (Ahjag) group is ready to help in the effort,” Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in peace negotiations with the government, said.
Established in 2002, but activated in 2005, the Ahjag played a crucial role in the apprehension of a number of criminal elements mainly in the areas where the Milf operates. But its significance had been clouded by the January 25 incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) serving an arrest warrant against two top terrorists, Malaysian Zulfikli Bin Hir aka ‘Marwan’ and Usman, a Filipino.
During the same SAF operation, carried out in secret, Marwan was killed but Usman was able to escape. The incident also led to an encounter between police commandos and the Milf wherein the latter claimed that 16 of their fighters and civilians had died from.
Due to the number of SAF fatalities The operation had also caused political backlash on the government of President Benigno Aquino III and had threatened to throw a monkey wrench that could squander the gains of the more than decades old peace process between Manila and the Milf.
Certain quarters have accused Milf of providing protection to Usman and Marwan. The two had been hiding in an area known to under the control of the Milf. Iqbal had denied this and reiterated that the Milf and the government could still continue on with the peace process.
“The Ahjag has mechanisms that we can use in getting Usman,” he said while stressing that Milf is not giving protection to the terrorist who has a $1 million prize under the United States.
Seeking justice
In a televised address Friday, President Benigno Aquino, called on the Milf to “assist in the capture of the terrorist Basit Usman in the name of justice.”
“To the members and leadership of the Milf: From the onset, I have considered you brothers on the path to peace. Until now, I am confident that you will help us in seeking justice; that those who have done wrong should be held to account…,” he said.
Aquino, however, remained firm on the continuing hunt for Usman.
“If he remains within your territory, or is protected by one of your members, we expect you to surrender him to the authorities,” he said.
The Mamasapano incident had also caused a debacle with Filipinos demanding the resignation of Police Director General Alan Purisima. On Friday, the official, who had been blamed for operational and leadership lapses that led to the death of 44 police commandos, resigned.
Aquino, in his speech Friday, admitted that Purisima played a role in the efforts to pursue Marwan and Usman
“Purisima had contributed in the long process and operations to get these two terrorists,” he said.
