Who knows the simple truth?

PROBERS

and investigations won’t find the simple truth about the trap that killed 44 of our best police commandos in Maguindanao. The MILF and its soldiers will protect its own version of the ambush to push the approval of the BBL in 2015. Our own PNP and AFP will assert the official version with short and clear statements to avoid complications. Hence, PAYO (advice) only was the right answer.

SAF commander’s version

The version worth listening to will come from the relieved SAF field commander who badly needs to salvage his reputation and has more years to “serve and protect” as a police officer. But his statements should be given in a closed-door session. He knows the planning of the operation which probably involved high PNP/AFP officers and the President (including his most trusted boys).

MILF pointers

The MILF panel members will get their “pointers” from their soldiers in the field. What was BIFF doing in the thick of the ambush? And why were they on friendly terms with their MILF friends and cousins?

And the biggest questions may run like these: Was MILF in Maguindanao truly unaware of the presence of two foreign bomb specialists and terrorists? Which faction or factions were tenderly coddling the two? The two were well-known international terrorists. One has a brother in a California prison where his skin, hair or saliva enabled the FBI to produce a DNA match. Another question that may cast doubt on the failed operation was the reward of $5 million on the head of the bomb specialist. This is a cool R220,750,000 no less.

Fabricated accounts

The government panel members are fully dependent on the MILF panel’s view if and when they discuss this subject. When strangers to the massacre site ask for some information they will get distorted/fabricated accounts from three or four sides. This is too late for them to consider some amendments to the draft BBL.

From Congress more and more quarters want to delay the discussion of the BBL bill. If consideration of this draft meets with more delays than necessary its approval may not be attained this year.

No guaranty of peace

From day to day there’s no assurance of total peace in Muslim Mindanao. A smaller version of the Maguidanao tragedy may be repeated during the long delay that can spark more nationwide condemnation and resentment. When this happens the government and MILF panels will be forced to meet in Cotabato City without backup from a foreign state.

Bumpy road craters

The road to peace after the killing of 44 SAF heroes has acquired small but bumpy craters, which the Manila government cannot fill with gravel and sand.

Any subject akin to the ambush of SAF 44 creates deep wounds and emotion among our people. Treating them with instant cure won’t do. The national/ presidential election in May 2016 is just 15 months away. National and local candidates will face questions like: What help can you give to our 44 fallen heroes? Why were they left to the mercy of MILF/BIFF soldiers? Why were AFP/PNP officers and men nearby prevented from coming to their rescue?

from US intelligence

Is US intelligence involved in the operation? Sheer logic tells us that the purpose of the operation was to capture an expert bomb maker with a price of $5 million on his head. This investment in dollars needed some kind of PAYO from the investor, to make sure the US taxpayers’ money is given to the deserving informants.

In a pure military operation nothing is left to chance. Our specially trained commandos were victims of plain TREACHERY, lack of AMMO and lack of support from our own soldiers and their fellow cops who were stationed nearby to extend a full helping hand.

And why did MILF/BIFF outlaws exhibit a mysterious connivance? We badly need good answers from the government and MILF panels.

If BBL fails in Congress

If Congress ignores BBL more factions will be formed in Muslim Mindanao. The many groups/fronts may unite and replace MILF. And we need to reorganize our panel too. Most of our leading experts in constitutional law believe the draft BBL is full of holes. A challenge in the Supreme Court may succeed and push us back to square one.

If the ambush in Maguindanao had not succeeded the MILF leaders can still avoid the blame. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com)