MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday directed government peace negotiators to secure a copy of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) findings from its investigation on the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said in Senate Resolution 1240 that the peace panel led by chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer negotiating with the MILF should formally request for the copy of the report.
The MILF earlier said it would submit its report not to the Philippine government but to Kuala Lumpur and the International Monitoring Team composed of foreign representatives mediating in the peace process.
"We have already read the other reports. We also need to see the MILF investigation report so we will know what really happened," Marcos said in plenary.
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On Tuesday, Sen. Grace Poe's Committee on Public Order released its report on the tragedy where 44 Special Action Force police commandos were killed by members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Accused of violating the peace process, MILF initiated its own investigation while the Senate and the Philippine National Police's Board of Inquiry were conducting their own.
Marcos said "full transparency and accountability" is needed to sort out issues that may affect the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law—the result of decades of negotiations with the MILF militants.
"There is a crucial need for the Philippine Government to be properly informed of the full investigation report of the MILF in order to strengthen the ceasefire mechanisms that may be included in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law pending in Congress," Marcos said.
Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Governments, had said deliberations on the Bangsamoro bill will resume on April 13. - Camille Diola