Manila: Philippine senators probing the January 25, 2015 killings in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, should focus on finding justice for victims of the bloody encounter and not waste time politicking, an official has said.
Originally a mission to arrest wanted terrorists, the Mamasapano clash claimed the lives of 67 people, 44 of whom were members of the police Special Action Force. The other victims were civilians, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebel groups.
Military operations undertaken in the immediate aftermath caused the displacement of 120,000 residents of various municipalities in Maguindanao.
Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles, in a statement released on the first anniversary of the encounter, said the commemoration of the Mamasapano tragedy should set aside politicking and focus solely on seeking justice for the elite policemen, Moro combatants and innocent civilians who died.
The Mamasapano tragedy was the result of lapses committed in a top secret police commando operation to capture Indonesian terrorist Zulfikli Bin Hir alias Marwan.
Although Marwan was killed, the cost in terms of lives lost turned out to be a disaster that nearly caused the collapse of the government peace process with the Milf/Moro rebels and a sore spot in the collective consciousness of Filipinos tired of conflict.
“In remembering Mamasapano we are making a fervent prayer — for justice the for those who perished and negatively affected by the tragedy, for healing and peace for the families and communities, and of the nation, and clarity of mind and wisdom for fellow Filipinos that they may always see and discern the truth from deception — for our country and the just and lasting peace it deserves,” Deles said.
