Robin Padilla seeks Senate probe into possible gov’t-MILF pact violation after deadly clash

Senator Robin Padilla is seeking a Senate investigation into the possible violation of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after several individuals were killed in a police operation in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur last week.

“It is imperative for the Senate to shed light on the matter and to ensure that the integrity of the peace process is preserved through mutual and faithful compliance with the provisions of the peace agreements by all parties involved,” Padilla wrote in proposed Senate Resolution 664 filed last week.

He said that during the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operation, which happened on June 18, policemen served warrants against Nasser Yousef Husain and Norjihad Husain—who were both allegedly linked to the 2016 bombing of a National Grid Corporation of the Philippines tower in Cotabato and the 2021 Datu Paglas public market attack—over their alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The operation resulted in the death of seven individuals including the Husain siblings. The military described the fatalities as members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Padilla cited the statement of Datu Paglas Police Captain Nurjhasier Sali who said that the incident was a legitimate police operation that became “ugly when the gunmen started firing at law enforcers.”

The senator said that the relatives of the deceased denied that they had been involved in any criminal activities by the deceased and alleged that the operation was a rubout.

The lawmaker cited Resolution No. 001, Series of 2023 which was issued by the Central Committee of the MILF on June 20, stating that the seven deceased individuals belonged to the National Guard Front, 11 Brigade, Inner Guard Base Command. They had filed applications for amnesty pursuant to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

According to Padilla, the MILF resolution also stated that the “absence of coordination by concerned law enforcement agencies in relation to this tragedy is a gross violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermines the primacy of the peace process and, thus, it resolved to urge the investigation of the incident and call for the government to genuinely and sincerely implement all aspects of the normalization process.”

Padilla also said in his resolution that there was also an agreement between the government and the MILF creating a Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) which is aimed to end armed hostilities between the government forces and the MILF forces.

In an interview with reporters, Padilla said that a Senate probe is necessary because there are claims of extrajudicial killing during the police operations.

“Ang alam ko po kasi, parang ang lugar na 'yan hindi siya under ng MILF ‘yung lugar kung saan nangyari. Kaya nagtatanong ako ano ba talaga, kasi ang sigaw ng taga doon, may nangyaring parang 'yan ang kumakalat na sinasabing parang nagkaroon ng EJK,” he said.

(As I understand it, the area where it happened it not under the MILF. So I am asking what is really going on, because the residents there are crying that EJKs may have been carried out.)

“Pangit ito para sa peace process… Sayang eh, nakailang taon na tayo na umuusad na. Huwag sana ito maging dahilan para masira po ang peace process natin. Kaya po sana kung mamarapatin ng Senado makapag-imbestiga sa naganap na yan para malinaw sa lahat. Ang mahirap fake news, na sinasabing ganito nangyari. Ang hirap noon para sa peace process,” he added.

(This is not good for the peace process...It's a shame, there have been many years of progress. I hope this won't become the reason for any damage to the the peace process. So it is to be hoped the Senate will deign to investigate so it will become clear to all. Fake news would be hard for the peace process.) — BM, GMA Integrated News