Iqbal opposes reopening of Mamasapano probe
MANILA, Philippines - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Monday expressed his opposition to the reopening of the Senate investigation on the Mamasapano incident.
Iqbal said that the case is closed and that they do not want to revive the animosities and emotions of the relatives of the fallen Special Action Force and MILF combatants.
"We have already conducted an official investigation and now our investigation team had come up with an official report," Iqbal said in an interview.
FULL TEXT: MILF report on the Mamasapano clash
The MILF chief negotiator said that he will turn down invitations to attend the Senate hearings on the issue.
Iqbal pointed out that the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, 17 MILF members and five civilians during an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao exactly a year ago was an unfortunate incident but "expected in war."
"To have real justice, it has to be applied to all. It's not only the SAF Commanders who had left their widows and children and all other dependents, but even the MILF combatants also left their widows, their parents, their children and relatives," Iqbal said.
Iqbal stressed that the civilians who died during the encounter deserve more justice.
Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III expressed his disappointment over the slow progress of the justice system in the country.
In his speech during the commemoration of the anniversary of the incident, Aquino vowed justice for the 44 SAF commandos.
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