ARMM gov appeals vs. making hasty conclusions on Mamasapano clash

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Tuesday appealed to the public and government officials against making hasty conclusions  on the Mamasapano incident, noting the ongoing investigations.

In an interview with “News To Go,” Hataman said everyone should be objective because the incident affected not just policemen, but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and civilians living in the area.

“Ang pakiusap namin sa lahat, maging objective," he said. "Pag-usapan natin ang Mamasapano incident, alamin natin 'yung buong factor ng katotohanan nito... Pero at this point in time, dapat walang conclusive statements kasi wala pa namang results 'yung investigation.”

"Hindi naman makakatulong sa ating lahat ang mga statements na lalong nagpapataas ng emosyon ng biktima. Ang biktima rito, tandaan natin, hindi lang SAF 44. Meron ring biktima sa MILF at higit sa lahat, may mga inosenteng mga kabataan na biktima dito. Ano 'yung hustisya na para dapat sa kanila?" he added.

Hataman was referring to the 44 elite policemen who were killed in the January 25 encounter with MILF rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The MILF has claimed losing 18 members to the day-long gunbattle.

"Ang masakit, dito lang tayo sa Metro Manila, hindi pa natin napuntahan 'yung Mamasapano, hindi natin nakita ang buong kwento, ang dami na nating conclusive statements," Hataman said.

Cayetano's statements

Asked about the statements made by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, his former colleague at the House of Representatives, Hataman said: "Hindi ko alam ang mini-mean ni Senator Alan. Matagal naman kaming magkasama niyan sa minorya sa Kongreso at wala namang ganiyang perception akong narinig... kaya ako personal ay nabigla rin ako nu'ng nagkaroon siya ng generalization."

At the Senate hearing last week, Cayetano said the Mamasapano clash happened not because of lack of coordination but because the MILF fired at government forces who were there to carry out an operation to arrest wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman.

He also labeled the MILF as a terrorist group, and said the government should not continue its peace negotiations with the organization.

Cayetano's comments prompted Hataman to make an emotional response during the hearing, where he said that the Muslim people are receiving hate because of the incident.

During Tuesday's interview, Hataman acknowledged that a lot of research probably fell on Cayetano's statements, but he added: "Pinagtatakhan ko bakit even the United States government hindi talaga naglabas ng policy na dapat talaga i-declare na terorista ang MILF at ito rin naman ang basehan bakit kinakausap [sila] ng ating pamahalaan."

'Marami rin akong tanong'

Hataman pointed out that a lot of differing conclusions have been made because there are a number of separate investigations on the matter. He said one of the main points that should be looked into is why the clash happened despite an ongoing peace process and a ceasefire mechanism.

"Ang pinagtatakhan ko, kahit time-on-target operation, dapat immediately after, o bago ginawa, dapat 'yung mekanismo ng MILF at GPH, aware na," he said.

Another detail he wants to know about is why the rest of the PNP-Special Action Force who were on the highway were not able to help their embattled comrades. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News