Rody to meet SAF 44 families

MANILA, Philippines - Families of the 44 police commandos killed in the 2015 encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao are set to meet with President Duterte today at Malacañang.

The dialogue would take place at the Heroes Hall at 4 p.m., according to an advisory sent to Palace reporters yesterday.

The meeting comes a day before the second anniversary of the encounter, which hampered the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Asked by the media yesterday whether the government would pursue justice for the slain policemen given that it is talking peace with the MILF, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said, “I’m sure the peace process continues… justice continues.”

Forty-four police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos died in an encounter with members of the MILF and other armed groups in Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.

SAF troopers entered the MILF bailiwick to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his Filipino accomplice Basit Usman.

Marwan was killed during the operation while Usman was able to escape. The Filipino terrorist was killed in another clash with government forces four months later.

The law enforcement operation in Mamasapano, which was called “Oplan Exodus,” went awry as it triggered a firefight that led to the deaths of the 44 SAF troopers and 18 MILF members.

The encounter derailed the peace negotiations with the MILF and delayed the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which would have established a new political entity with enhanced autonomy in Mindanao.

Last week, Duterte announced that he would talk to the officers involved in Oplan Exodus.

He said he is still puzzled as to why the military did not provide air support to the beleaguered SAF troopers during the encounter.

“I only have one question for all, I’m not trying to revive the question. What’s bugging me is that I was a mayor and I had police (under my watch)… Why did they not call in the air assets? Who earned money there?” Duterte said last Thursday.

“I’ll make way…I’d like to talk to the officers. I’m not trying to scare anybody… I’m not trying to go into politics,” he added.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa is still seeking justice for the 44 SAF commandos who died in Mamasapano.

Dela Rosa participated in a ceremony at the PNP Academy compound in Silang, Cavite in observation of the second anniversary of the SAF 44 on Jan. 25. The PNP chief and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno laid wreaths at the monument of the SAF 44.

“How we wish na mabigyan ng tuldok yung kaso ng (we could end the case of the) SAF 44. Dapat matapos na yan at mabigyan ng hustisya (the case should be resolved and give justice),” said Dela Rosa, who was part of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) that investigated the incident.

He said President Duterte has yet to give any order to reopen the case, though the Chief Executive has questioned the delay of the reinforcement to the troopers. – Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe