Last month, discussions on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law were on an even keel, awaiting simply the schedule of hearings to be followed by both the Senate and House of Representatives. All that dramatically changed on Jan. 25, a Sunday that began with news about a terrible bloodbath involving 44 policemen killed in the marshes of Maguindanao during an 11-hour gunbattle with Moro rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Independent Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

 
Those slain were not ordinary cops but the best and the fiercest, belonging to the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police. They were previously sent to Zamboanga City to turn back Moro rebels and followers of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that also has an existing peace agreement with the Philippine government. The SAF forces survived Zamboanga City only to fall in the grassy plains of Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Condemnation was swift and the entire population felt a heavy pall of sadness. It was as if each of the SAF 44, also known as the Fallen Heroes, were part of everyone’s family. “We are SAF,” the ordinary citizens outraged by the carnage in Mindanao, appeared to say. Social media were replete with tributes to the SAF and of memes critical of the government. How could this happen? Why did this happen? Who approved the mission plan then failed to coordinate with the military and MILF for assistance needed on the ground?

The Special Action Forces were sent to Maguindanao in a known lair of Moro rebels to capture two international terrorists on the Most Wanted List of the United States. These two terrorists were Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and local terrorist Basit Usman. Marwan had a $6-million bounty on his head. Both the Philippine National Police and the MILF leadership declared Marwan to have died in that bloody encounter. Usman, however, managed to escape. Usman has a $3-million price tag on his head.

Four days after the incident, President Aquino addressed the nation. He admitted having known the mission and was in fact receiving advice from a suspended official of the Philippine National Police, his good friend, Gen. Alan Purisima. Purisima was suspended because of an ongoing case involving graft and corruption. Aquino’s national address raised more questions than answers. If the president had known about the mission, then why were the heads of the Department of Interior and Local Government, which has jurisdiction over the SAF contingent as well as the Acting Chief of the PNP not informed about the special and dangerous mission? Also kept in the dark was Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, the very person that could authorize military backup at the drop of the hat when needed by the brave 44 policemen.

Eventually, the policemen did ask for backup. Nobody came. Hanging in the balance is the Bangsamoro Basic Law that has yet to be passed by Congress. Peace advocates are stressing the importance of passing the law as an antidote to more violent encounters. Others are exercising caution. Everyone now is still grieving and searching for answers. The passage of the Bangsamoro Law hinges on the kind of answers the public will get. Trust has to be redeemed before everything else. Knowing the truth is the only way for trust to be restored.

Comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..