PNoy warns MILF: We'll get Usman with or without your help

Published February 6, 2015 7:01pm

Despite a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday warned the group not to get in the way of the government's manhunt for the suspected terrorist Basit Usman.

In a nationwide address, Aquino said the MILF should surrender Usman if some of its members were harboring the suspected bomb maker.

"Ukol naman kay Usman, nais kong ipahayag: Kung nasa loob siya ng inyong teritoryo o nasa ilalim siya ng pangangalaga ng sinuman sa inyo, inaasahan kong isusuko ninyo siya sa mga awtoridad. Kung hindi, ay gawin ang lahat upang tumulong sa pagdakip sa kanya. At kung hindi pa rin maaari ito, ay huwag makialam sa aming pag-uusig kay Usman.

"Magsilbi sana itong babala at paalala: Huhulihin namin si Usman, anuman ang maging desisyon ninyo, sino man ang kumukupkop sa kanya, at saan man siya nagtatago," Aquino told the MILF in a nationally televised speech in Malacañang.

"Walang dapat magduda: Magkatuwang ang adhikain natin para sa kapayapaan at katarungan. Sa mga naliligaw naman ng landas, na magtatangka pang humadlang sa pagtugis namin kay Usman, tandaan na ninyo: Estado ang kalaban ninyo, at sasagasaan namin kayo," he added.

Aquino said he was counting on the MILF's assistance in the seeking justice for the police commandos who died in Mamasapano and in the manhunt for Usman.

"Sa mga kasapi at liderato ng MILF: Mula pa noong umpisa, tinuturing ko kayo bilang mga kapatid sa paghahangad ng kapayapaan. At hanggang ngayon, umaasa ako na tutulong kayo na hanapin ang hustisya; kailangang panagutin ang lahat ng may sala, lalo na kung totoong may mga sugatan at hindi makalaban na tuluyan pa ring pinatay," Aquino said.

"Magandang unang hakbang ang pagkilos ninyo upang limitahan ang kilos ng BIFF," he added.

MILF reaction

Mohager Iqbal, the chair of the MILF peace panel, accepted the President's speech on a positive note, saying there were existing mechanisms in the peace agreement that would ensure cooperation between the government and the MILF in going after lawless elements like Usman.

"Kung may operasyon sa terroristang grupo palagay ko ang kasalkuyang mekanismo... they have enough to address the situation [to pursue] Basit Usman," Iqbal said in an interview on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

Asked if he knew where Usman is, Iqbal answered in the negative.

Usman, nonetheless, said the MILF was even willing to be "flexible" to upgrade its level of cooperation with the government in pursuing terrorists.

"We have shown enough goodwill," Usman said.

Tragedy

Aquino in his speech adverted to the death of suspected international terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan during the Mamasapano operation but added that it was quite a costly victory.

He said the 44 police commandos who died in the Mamasapano encounter were his responsibility. He said he would carry this "tragedy" for the rest of his life.

"Ako ang ama ng bayan, at 44 sa aking mga anak ang nasawi. Hindi na sila maibabalik; nangyari ang trahedya sa ilalim ng aking panunungkulan; dadalhin ko po hanggang sa huling mga araw ko ang pangyayaring ito," Aquino said.

"Responsibilidad ko po sila, kasama ang buong puwersa ng SAF sa operasyong ito, pati na ang mga nagligtas sa kanila na nalagay din sa panganib ang buhay," he added.

On January 25, 44 PNP-SAF members were killed and 12 were wounded during a firefight with the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The MILF had announced that a total of 17 of their fighters died in the clash.

Purisima resignation

Aquino also announced that he had accepted the resignation of his longtime pal, suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima, over the Mamasapano tragedy.

"Tinatanggap ko po, effective immediately, ang resignation ni General Purisima. At nagpapasalamat ako sa mahabang panahon ng kanyang paglilingkod bago mangyari ang trahedyang ito," Aquino said. —NB/JDS, GMA News

Tags: mamasapanoclash