MILF forms independent body to probe Maguindanao carnage

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday created an independent body that will investigate the bloody encounter between its fighters and members of the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.

The MILF’s figurehead, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, said the Special Investigative Commission (SIC) is comprised of members of the group's central committee and senior officials of their Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

In a statement, Murad said the MILF sympathizes with the families of the more than 40 policemen who perished in the clash.

“Our concern is the truth. There will be a lot of speculations as to what happened and unless what happened is established with credibility and integrity, the said incident will weigh down our efforts to bring peace to our homeland,” Murad pointed out.

Murad also assured the incident will not affect their now 17-year on-going peace overture with the government.

“In order to give meaning to their (policemen’s) deaths, we must resolve not to let something like this happen again,” Murad said.