At 2:30 am in January 25, Special Action Force troopers of the Philippine National Police infiltrated Mamasapano to conduct a “law enforcement operations against high-value targets.” The teams are composed of the following:
- 36 elite cops belonging to the 55th SAF company, which serve as the blocking force, in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano
- 37 elite cops belonging to the Seaborne Unit of the 84th SAF company, which was tasked to arrest two top terrorists in Barangay Pidsandawan
- There is one team of 300 SAF troops deployed away from the battle zone. They are on standby, not part of the attacking or blocking forces
The whole tactical operation turned out to be a big mess!
Those who were killed included 3 Moro civilians, 16 MILF members, and 44 SAF troopers.
My biggest concern is how this incident would affect the GPH-MILF Peace Process in general, and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in particular.
I’m sure this incident would used by the war-mongers to hinder the passage of BBL and would call for a movement to perpetuate the war in Mindanao.
I’m so glad that the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), the faith community network with whom PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. is affiliated, released a statement on the current Mamasapano crisis:
PCEC STATEMENT ON THE PNP-SAF OPERATIONS IN MAGUINDANAO
The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and the 16 members of the Moro communities who lost their lives in Mamasapano, Maguindano during a tragic clash in the morning of January 25, 2015. From our biblical perspective, all lives are created in the image of God and are inherently and equally valuable in the eyes of the One who created all human beings. Though we sincerely cry with those who lost their loved-ones, our words would not be enough to describe the deepest pain and suffering of their families and loved-ones.
We look at this traumatic event through the lenses of truth and mercy as well as of justice and peace (Psalm 85:10). With these biblical values, we hope to express a balanced perspective of this sad reality before us.
:: WE SEEK THE TRUTH. We appreciate the fact that both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have committed to conduct their respective investigating bodies to establish the facts. We expect transparency on the basic facts. What? Where? When? Who? Why? How? We also call on civil societies, the religious bodies, the business sector, and all other peace-loving organizations to help conduct a joint fact-finding mission independent from both the GPH and the MILF.
:: WE CALL FOR MERCY. Violence makes us angry. When we are violated, we naturally want to get even. We are tempted to see human society as ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in a perpetual adversarial relationship. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to transform adversarial relationships into reconciling relationships. This is done through loving God and loving our neighbors, even loving our enemies. This kind of love looks at the ‘other’ who violated us with mercy — the kind of love that withholds punishment despite the fact that such punishment is deserved. Mercy is not a suggestion to those who follow Jesus. Mercy is our calling in this violent world. Mercy is our mandate and mission as the Body of Christ.
:: WE DEMAND JUSTICE. We cry and shout justice for all who died in this armed encounter. Based on established facts and under the rule of law, those who are responsible for these violent deaths must be brought to justice. All those who are responsible — from the official who planned and sanctioned this operation, to the personnel on the ground who pulled the trigger, whether they are from the GPH side or the MILF side — must be brought to justice. May the God of justice prevail over the forces of injustice!
:: WE PURSUE PEACE. As a church council, we laud the determination of both the GPH and the MILF to continue the peace process in Mindanao. We call on the Senate and Congress to finish the process of public consultations until the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is passed. We must advance the rule of law. We must not be succumbed to the rule of guns and bullets. We affirm the wise counsel of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who urge us to “contribute to our nation’s search for just and lasting peace by encouraging all parties to bring any conflict to the table of peace instead of the battlefields of war. Let us not add to the darkness, but to the light. It is the only way that we ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen policemen would not be in vain.”
May God’s love embrace us so we can embrace others. May the peace of Christ rule our hearts and our country. May the comfort of the Holy Spirit energize us as we pursue peace in our land.
Signed: January 29, 2015
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
National Director Designate, PCECBishop Efraim M. Tendero
National Director, PCECBishop Cesar V. Punzalan III
Chairman, PCEC Board
