MILF Names Their Dead in Mamasapano Clash

By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Iqbal says it was pure, simple misencounter

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal has released the names of 18 fighters killed and 14 others wounded in the January 25 "misencounter" between the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and the 105th Base Command of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The dead MILF members are:

Mahmod Saga Monib,
Salahudin Salindato,
Esmail Abid,
Abdorahim Abdila,
Daglala Kamed,

Ali Esmail,
Musib Hasim,
Omar Dagadas,
Rasul Zukarnin,
Mamarisa Omar,

Batrudin Langalen,
Gibinun Angkay,
Suweb Kemod,
Nasrudin Saptulla,
Salahudin Salindatu,

Mahmod Salah,
Kaharudin Baluno, and
Abdulrahim Abdullah.

The wounded MILF are:

Ali Surab,
Zainudin Lampak,
Salahudin Kunakon,
Zumaidi Untong,
Jomar Zailon,

Abdulgani Ramos,
Hamza Lampak,
Joel Guiman,
Abdulmaguid Pindi,
Norhak Sekak,

Saad Saya,
Ketay Muhammad,
Mustapa Pindi, and
Mahmod Lumbatan.

Iqbal released the names in a joint press conference of the MILF and Philippine government at the Palace of the Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia following the signing of the protocol for the terms of reference of the independent decommissioning body -- the rules governing the decommissioning of the MILF.

Iqbal expressed his condolences to the families of all those fallen in Mamasapano.

He also maintained their full commitment and determination to the facilitator for the successful conclusion of the peace process with the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

"Rest assured that no amount of obstacles along the way can stop us from pursuing the path of peace in Mindanao," he said.

Iqbal appealed to the media not to fan the emotions of hatred.

"Bangsamoro have also suffered a lot as a result of several massacres. The encounter in Mamasapano wasn't intended by either side -- from side of government and MILF. It was a pure and simple misencounter," he said

.

He said the operation was intended for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which, he insisted, was the one coddling wanted suspected terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.

'UGLY TURN'

Government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described the January 25 incident as an ugly turn of events, grieving as well for the nameless civilians who were also killed.

Nevertheless, Ferrer urged everyone to press on with the peace process despite questions on the sincerity of both sides.

To address the issues of confidence building, she said the independent decommissioning body, coordinating committee for the cessation of hostilities, joint normalization committee, and joint peace and security teams will prepare for the turnover of the first batch of MILF weapons under Phase 1.

She reported that last January 22, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim personally handed over the list of 75 weapons, including the make and serial number, to the IDB head ambassador Haydar Berk.

Ferrer also reported an initial batch of 145 MILF combatants will be decommissioned, the list of which will be handed to IDB this week.

In exchange, the combatants will be given a socio-economic package in March. The actual ceremony will be in March.

Aside from the first batch to be decommissioned, both panels also agreed to a joint security assessment of the situation to address criminality and terrorism in MILF areas.

Ferrer maintained there are standing protocols. They will have a joint security assessment workshop with high-ranking officials of both sides.

Ferrer also announced that investigations into the Mamasapano incident will continue, with members of the international monitoring team on a field verification mission in the areas concerned.

"We managed to come up with concrete solutions soberly. The results will not become immediately evident. We will remain under scrutiny. We will have to regain the people's trust. Let our actions then speak louder than our words in due time," she said.

Iqbal stressed that the decommissioning is a sacrifice on the part of the MILF.

Ferrer, meanwhile, maintained confidence that lawmakers who are now having second thoughts about passing the BBL will come around.

"When the emotions go down and we go back to concrete task that will provide answer to complex situation, they certainly would respond to challenge."

Iqbal is hoping the MILF will be vindicated.

IDB Chief Ambassador Haydar Berk, one of three foreigners sitting with four local experts in the IDB, appealed for more trust in the process.

"I believe the important message is to keep peace process on track. It goes on track on basis of mutual trust. It will continue on basis of trust from both sides," Berk said.

MNLF Rebels Hold Philippine Forces at Bay

Filipino rebels have held scores of hostages as human shields in a two-day standoff with government forces. Since Monday, fighting has virtually shut down a southern port city. 

Troops have surrounded 200 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas and their roughly 180 hostages in four coastal villages near Zamboanga since the fighting began Monday. The conflict has displaced about 1,500 residents of the mainly Muslim districts near the city, including women and children forced to spend the night sleeping on the floor of crowded gyms after fleeing. At least eight combatants have been killed and 24 wounded.

"The primary mission of the government now is clear: do everything possible to convince the armed MNLF group to free all the captive residents they are using as a 'human shield' against military and police operations," Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said. He added that government forces would now focus on "saving as many lives as possible."

The MNLF's 42-year rebellion has claimed 150,000 lives. The group signed an accord with the government in 1996, but retained its weapons and has accused officials of reneging on promises of an autonomous region for Muslims in the Mindanao region of the largely Catholic nation. Last month, the MNLF issued new threats to secede by establishing its own republic.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said government forces discovered in advance a planned attack in Zamboanga - a city of around 800,000 - and positioned themselves offensively to deter that. Navy spokesman Lieutenant-Commander Gregory Fabic said commandos had killed seven rebels as they marched into the city, though the sea battle also led to the death of one soldier.

President Benigno Aquino III said his government would make hostage safety a top priority. He has deployed top Cabinet officials and his military chief of staff to oversee the situation.

MNLF vs. MILF
 
MNLF rebels have felt excluded after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which split in 1978, successfully engaged the government in talks brokered by Malaysia. Monday's attack came as the government prepared to resume negotiations Tuesday.

"We condemn acts of violence perpetrated by spoilers out to derail the people's journey to a just and lasting peace," said presidential adviser Teresita Deles, who has helped to oversee negotiations with the MILF. "How can you demand to hoist your flag in the name of peace while brazenly bearing arms and hurting innocent civilians?" Deles added.

The MNLF rebels have given no indication as to whether they would engage in talks or what they intend to do next.

"Our forces will stay where they are," MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla told DZMM radio "They are on a defensive posture."

The 11,000-strong MILF has made substantial progress toward a new autonomy deal for Muslims in the peace talks with the government. The latest round of those talks resumed Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

mkg/ph (Reuters, AFP, AP)

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