After return of SAF weapons, Palace seeks more proof MILF can be trusted

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the move of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return the weapons of the 44 slain members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the development is proof that MILF is committed to pursue the Bangsamoro peace process following the fatal SAF operation in Mamasapano Maguindanao.

But Coloma said the MILF should show more concrete evidence that they can be trusted by the government.

"Ang pagsauli ng mga armas ay bahagyang tumutugon sa naunang panawagan ni Pangulong Aquino na magpakita ng kongkretong katibayan ang MILF na sila ay maaaring pagkatiwalaan bilang katuwang ng pamahalaan sa prosesong pangkapayapaan," Coloma said.

"Hinihintay pa ng pamahalaan ang mas kongkretong patunay," he added.

READ: MILF returns SAF weapons

Reiterating Aquino's earlier appeal to the MILF, Coloma said the rebel group should help the government in hunting down Basit Usman, the Filipino cohort of Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was the subject of the Mamasapano operation.

Coloma said the MILF should also identify and hold accountable its members who killed the 44 SAF troopers.

The MILF should also return the remaining weapons and possessions that were stolen from the fallen policemen, Coloma said.

The Palace official said the MILF's failure to meet the government's demands will cast doubts on its sincerity to pursue peace.

"Kung ang magiging resulta ay walang manipestasyon o hindi pagtupad, 'di nangangahulugan lang ‘yon na hindi ganap ‘yung kanilang kooperasyon o ‘yung pakikiisa sa ating pamahalaan," Coloma said.