Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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Padilla seeks Senate probe into killing of BIFF leader, 6 followers in Maguindanao clash
Philippines
National
Padilla seeks Senate probe into killing of BIFF leader, 6 followers in Maguindanao clash
Padilla seeks Senate probe into killing of BIFF leader, 6 followers in Maguindanao clash
Published Jun 26, 2023 09:12 am
Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla on Monday, June 26, filed a resolution seeking a Senate probe into the alleged violation of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following a police operation that resulted in the death of seven persons last June 18.
Sen. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla (Senate PRIB Photo)
Senate Resolution No. 664 seeks an investigation, in aid of legislation, by the appropriate Senate committee into the incident that occurred in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao province. ”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 said. He emphasized that the government entered into a final peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF resulting in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro, and eventually the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The government and MILF also signed an agreement creating the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. Initial reports indicated the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao served search warrants for alleged violation of RA 10591 against Nasser Yousef Husain, 34; and Norjihad Husain, 29, both allegedly linked to the 2016 bombing of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) tower in Cotabato and the 2021 Datu Paglas public market attack. Killed in the operation were the Husain siblings and other members of the MILF. Police said the incident was a legitimate police operation where the gunmen started firing at the law enforcers. But relatives of the victims denied involvement in criminal activities and claimed the operation was a rubout. The MILF passed a resolution saying the seven belonged to the National Guard Front, 11 Brigade, Inner Guard Base Command; and that they had filed applications for amnesty. It added there was no coordination by the law enforcement agencies, which violated the ceasefire agreement and undermines the primacy of the peace process.
Sen. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla (Senate PRIB Photo)
Senate Resolution No. 664 seeks an investigation, in aid of legislation, by the appropriate Senate committee into the incident that occurred in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao province. ”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 said. He emphasized that the government entered into a final peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF resulting in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro, and eventually the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The government and MILF also signed an agreement creating the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. Initial reports indicated the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao served search warrants for alleged violation of RA 10591 against Nasser Yousef Husain, 34; and Norjihad Husain, 29, both allegedly linked to the 2016 bombing of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) tower in Cotabato and the 2021 Datu Paglas public market attack. Killed in the operation were the Husain siblings and other members of the MILF. Police said the incident was a legitimate police operation where the gunmen started firing at the law enforcers. But relatives of the victims denied involvement in criminal activities and claimed the operation was a rubout. The MILF passed a resolution saying the seven belonged to the National Guard Front, 11 Brigade, Inner Guard Base Command; and that they had filed applications for amnesty. It added there was no coordination by the law enforcement agencies, which violated the ceasefire agreement and undermines the primacy of the peace process.