Priest insists gov’t bought SAF 44’s firearms

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic priest based in Mindanao yesterday insisted on his claims that the government bought the firearms of the slain 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen in Mamasapano from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to make it appear the rebel group voluntarily returned them as a gesture of good faith.

In a statement, Fr. Eliseo Mercado stood by his earlier allegations that the MILF returned the 16 firearms to the government for an undisclosed price.

“Giving up firearms is not the culture here, even for the love of God and country. But there is always a price tag for them because they can buy better ones,” he said.

Mercado, director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in Cotabato City, reiterated that his information about the apparent sale of the SAF firearms by MILF rebels to the government came from an informant from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“He told me about the transaction. That is the basis of the interview. It is privileged information. I believe my informant... He is reliable,” he said.

Mercado belied government’s claim that the firearms were surrendered by the MILF to show sincerity in the peace process. He said this was “simply unbelievable.”

“The SAF weapons are first class. Returning them for love of country after sustaining 18 or more MILF casualties and seven civilians is almost believing in ‘Alice in Wonderland, ’” Mercado said.

He also expressed reservations on the sincerity of the MILF to agree to decommissioning of firearms under the peace process, saying it would be “easier for them to surrender their wives than to surrender their firearms.”