Iqbal says MILF sees no benefit in protecting Marwan

The chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday said they have no reason to protect Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, one of the two high-profile targets of the January 25 police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“Kung titignan mo sa praktikal na pananaw, ano ba ang mapapala ng MILF na kanlungin si Marwan? Ano ba ang maibibigay niya sa MILF na isang bagay na makakabuti sa MILF? Sa tingin ko, wala,” said Mohagher Iqbal in an interview with GMA News TV's Quick Response Team.  

The PNP-Special Action Force conducted a mission dubbed Oplan Exodus on January 25 in Mamasapano to capture Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman. The operation, however, resulted in the deaths of 44 policemen who figured in an encounter with MILF forces.

The area of operation was a known bailiwick of the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which sparked allegations that both groups are coddling the terrorists.

To this, Iqbal said: “Hindi ho pwedeng sabihin na pinrotektahan ng MILF si Marwan dahil wala hong benefit ang MILF na makukuha.”

During the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano operation earlier in the day, Iqbal said the group does not know that the terrorists were hiding near their area.

“The MILF did not harbor Marwan or Usman. The MILF has no links with these terrorists and terrorist organizations. Marwan and Usman were in areas outside the MILF-controlled areas,” he said.

He also insisted that MILF does not meet eye to eye with the BIFF.

“MILF and the BIFF are different organizations. We do not share the same goals and objective. There is no truth to the allegation that we are conniving with each other,” said Iqbal in his opening statement.

As the Philippine government's peace partner in Mindanao, the MILF is against all forms of terrorism, Iqbal also said.

“We have made a solemn vow to fight terrorism in our areas. Terrorism is inconsistent with Islam and has no place in the orientation and principles of the MILF. Our previous actions bear witness to our commitment against terrorism. To tag MILF as terrorist group is unfair,” he said. —Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News