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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/02 February) – The peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should continue despite the January 25 clash in Maguindanao that left a number of police operatives, Moro guerrillas and civilians dead, Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Lilia Nuño said Monday.
However, Nuño said that both parties should also work together in giving justice to the 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) who died in the clash.
Eighteen members of the MILF and four civilians were also killed in the encounter last January 25 in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.
“The peace process should not be stopped since it will serve as the instrument that would bring a lasting peace here in Mindanao,” Nuño said.
“We should continue (the peace process), but before we continue, we should also wait for the outcome of the inquiry into the incident,” she added.
Interior and Local Governments Secretary Manuel Roxas II has ordered the creation of a board of inquiry to look into the “tactical matters” and “get to the bottom” of what he called “misencounter”.
Nuño said she was saddened by the unfortunate incident and joined the call for justice to the fallen SAF members.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Edgar Basbas, Police Regional Office-9 director said the 44 slain SAF policemen were among the 74 police commandos that were sent to Maguindanao from this city.
Basbas said they are under the 5th Special Action Battalion, whose area of operations covers the entire Mindanao. (MindaNews)