Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman
MANILA – Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Monday urged the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation on the encounter between government forces and several members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Ungkaya Pukan town, Basilan province last Nov. 8.
In a privilege speech, Hataman said the probe is essential in determining and addressing the issues that led to the “breakdown of peace” in his island-province despite the peace agreement entered into between the national government and the MILF, to prevent such “pockets of violence” from happening again.
The two days of fighting in Basilan resulted in the death of three soldiers, four MILF members and one civilian who was caught in the crossfire. Also affected were around 1,500 families who evacuated for safety.
“Mr. Speaker, however, saddened or enraged we are because of what happened, we do not seek to lay blame on anyone. This is not the true spirit of peace,” he said.
“Ngunit napakarami nating tanong na nangangailangan ng kasagutan. Tandaan natin, dugo at luha ang ating puhunan sa kapayapaang ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Utang natin sa lahat ng nag-alay ng kanilang buhay para maging mapayapa at maunlad ang Bangsamoro na gawin natin ang lahat, sa abot ng ating makakaya, na siguruhin na hindi na ito mangyayari at mauulit (But we have many questions that need to be answered. Remember, blood and tears were our capital for the peace that we are currently enjoying. We owe it to all those who sacrificed their lives for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro, to do everything within our means to ensure that this will never happen or prevent from happening again),” Hataman said.
He said the probe must invite the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the leadership of the MILF to shed light on what happened in Basilan.
He said both sides must answer why did it happen in the first place; what processes should be followed for MILF members outside of their camps; if there was a breakdown in the approved processes between the AFP and the MILF in this incident; and if it is time to review and strengthen the mechanisms regarding the movements of the AFP and MILF combatants.
Hataman also called on both sides to sit down and comprehensively revise the guidelines for cooperation to plug the loopholes of the current guidelines, and provide for processes for any situation that might happen in the future.
He said he is hoping that through this, no more innocent lives would be ended by war; no more families or communities would be enveloped by fear of impending war; and there should never be a specter of war, because the Bangsamoro is already at peace.
“Huwag tayong pumayag na bumalik sa gulo ang ating bayan. Huwag nating hayaang burahin ng digmaan ang lahat ng pangarap natin para sa ating mga sarili at sa ating pamilya. Huwag nating payagan na mawala ang mga ganansyang ating ipinaglaban para sa kapayapaan. Walang lugar ang karahasan sa isang lipunan na nangangarap ng kaunlaran para sa kanyang mamamayan (We must not allow conflict to return to our country. We must not allow war to erase our aspirations for ourselves and our families. We must not let the gains we have fought to achieve peace be lost. There is no place for violence in a society that aspires for development for her citizens),” he said.
“If there is no genuine and lasting peace, how do we hope to move forward and progress? Magtulungan po tayo, Mr. Speaker. Abot-kamay na ang kapayapaan, huwag nating hayaang mawala. Huwag nating sayangin sa digmaan ang lahat ng ating pinaghirapan (Let us cooperate. Peace is already within reach, let us no lose it. All our sacrifices should not be wasted by war),” Hataman said. (PNA)
