January 30, 2015
Press Release
Baguio City– Tongtongan Ti Umili-Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (TTU-CPA) mourns the death of PNP-SAF, MILF and civilian individuals who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, 2015.
In his nation address last January 29, President Aquino once again “whitewashed” the incident and refused to take the blame on the said deaths. He claimed that the PNP-SAF officers were involved in the implementation of a standing warrant of arrest for two terrorists bombers, namely Zulkifli bin Hir aka “Marwan” and Abdul Basit Usman.
The said operation was under the directives of President Aquino and suspended PNP director General Alan Purisima, without the knowledge of PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and DILG chief Mar Roxas. Aquino is well aware of the operations since he even went to Zamboanga before the troops went to Mamasapano. The operation was limited only to Aquino, Purisima and the PNP-SAF officials who are to carry out the operations.
“Simply put, to conduct an operation as huge as this—after terrorist bombers, no less—without the knowledge of government officials and agencies involved should be accounted for” stated Tracy Dumalo, secretary-general of TTU-CPA. This was due to the fact that General Espina and Mar Roxas stated in a press conference that no report was given to them to give any permission for the Mamasapano operations. This resulted to the death of 44 members of the PNP-SAF, 13 of whom are Cordillerans.
“Aquino has to answer for this incident since the individuals who were slained in Mamasapano were seemingly used as “pawns” or “toy soldiers” in a board game, just to claim the $6 million bounty for capturing the two terrorists. Dagdag pa ito sa kagustuhan ni Aquino na magpasikat at magpabango sa ibang mga bansa.” said Dumalo.
TTU-CPA further stated that they are against the proposition of some politicians to call for an all-out war against the MILF since this will not solve the armed conflict. “It is not right to call for an all-out war without greatly considering the lives of the civilians that will be greatly harmed and affected” said Dumalo.
It is important that the Mamasapano incident should be thoroughly investigated and the persons involved in commanding it should be held accountable.
Reference:
Tracy Dumalo
Secretary-General, Tongtongan Ti Umili-CPA
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