MILF unaware of Marwan, Usman presence due to 'glaring failure of intel', says probe commission

"While it is true that the houses occupied by Marwan and Usman are in Barangay Pembalkan, Mamasapano, some three (3) kilometers away from the MILF communities, a good intelligence operation should have enabled these Base Commands to detect and report the presence of Usman and Marwan to the BIAF Command," the MILF probe commission said in its report submitted to the Senate last Monday.

 

The probe commission also blamed the two MILF base commands for lack of advanced intel and early warning on the assault of the PNP Special Action Force in Barangay Tukanalipao.

 

It recommended "that the (MILF) leadership impose appropriate disciplinary action against the erring officials" of the two base commands.

 

"The laxity exhibited by the two Base Commands, perhaps influenced by the over confidence in the relative peace obtaining in their communities brought about by the ceasefire agreement with the government and the signing of the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro), should not go unnoticed. This attitude should not be tolerated," the probe commission also said.

 

The MILF report also clearing its fighters of the alleged overkill in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force troopers during the hours-long clash that followed a mission to arrest or neutralize Marwan and Usman. Marwan was killed while Usman escaped.

 

The January 25 clash resulted in the deaths of a total of 66 people, also including 17 members of the MILF and five civilians.

 

'Establish new relationship' with govt

 

The MILF commission recommended that the peace panel meet with its government counterpart to "establish a new relationship" between their respective security forces. "[T]he Commission recommends to the leadership that measures be immediately undertaken so that the new security mechanisms be immediately put in place.”

 

The MILF report also mentioned the need "to transition the relationship" of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF's military arm, and the government's military and police forces.

 

“The MILF leadership must direct its Peace Panels and its representatives in the JNC (Joint Normalization Committee) to convene with their respective counterparts from government to take immediate steps to operationalize the Joint Peace and Security Teams so that it may properly perform its functions and thereby establish a new relationship between the BIAF and the Security Forces of the GPH," the probe commission said.  — ELR, GMA News