Drilon says MILF members can be

prosecuted for SAF killing

Senate President Franklin Drilon backed today the filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of criminal charges against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tagged in the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Drilon said that the peace process between the government and the MILF does not give immunity to MILF members who violated the Revised Penal Code and who should be held accountable for the killings.

“More so since in that instance the SAF commandos were then just serving arrest warrants,” said Drilon. If the MILF would not surrender their members charged by the DOJ, Drilon said that once again “it is up to the government to enforce the law.”

Notwithstanding Mamasapano and the brouhaha over the use of aliases by MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal and other MILF leaders, Drilon said they have a target to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by June 11 after a thorough scrutiny.

Drilon said it is up to Malacañang to push the BBL if it wants to through the LEDAC or the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council. “The BBL is a common agenda and it will be up to Malacañang to talk to senators and congressmen (through LEDAC).”

“We (lawmakers) have our individual judgments. In our system, there’s nothing wrong if Malacañang and lawmakers talk. It’s up to Malacañang,” said Drilon.

The use of aliases by MILF leaders does not affect the passage of the BBL, but Drilon said officials of the MILF should use their real names in their passports and in signing documents pertaining to BBL once the latter is passed into law.

He said that lawmakers and the people would ultimately decide the fate of the BBL, stressing that in crafting the BBL the Senate and the House are not bound by the exact terms and language of the peace agreement signed last year by the MILF and the Philippine government peace panel.                      

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