The view from the other side

CHEERS TO MindaNews, ABS-CBN News and GMA News for providing a different perspective to the January 25 Mamasapano incident, in which at least 62 persons died and thousands of civilians were displaced.

While there were a number of reports on the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police who were killed while pursuing Malaysian national Zulkifli bin Hir (Marwan) and Filipino Abdul Basit Usman, news about the impact of the incident on the communities in Maguindanao were few and far between. Both Marwan and Usman allegedly have links to the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist organizations.

Selected news reports by MindaNews, ABS-CBN News and GMA News shared the stories of the residents of Mamasapano, the families of the 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who died in the clash, and other stakeholders who are also mourning their loss, who want to know what happened with the operation, and who are asking for justice and the continuation of the peace talks.

Other news organizations, among them Rappler.com and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, reported that apart from the SAF and MILF casualties, six civilians also died and three were wounded. Classes in the area were suspended and 1,500 families displaced. (These figures are unconfirmed, however.)

According to MindaNews, one of the first organizations to report the sentiments of the people on the ground, a resident said “’irespeto natin ang usaping pangkapayapaan (let’s respect the peace process)’ to avoid a repeat of Sunday’s tragedy.” (“As war drums beat elsewhere, residents in Mamasapano village pray for peace,” MindaNews, January 28)

In Tukanalipao, relatives of MILF members were also coping with grief and loss.

“Pareho rin kaming nawalan ng anak o asawa. Kaya lahat kaming namatayan ng asawa, nasasaktan din. Hindi lang sila. Pati rin kami dito (We share the loss of loved ones. Like us who lost their husbands, we are in pain. It’s not just them, we also grieve),” said Rakma Dagadas.

“Hindi natin masasabi na ito ay massacre, may namatay rin sa side ng MILF at may nasugatan din sa kanila (We should not describe this as massacre. MILF members died and were wounded),” said Cads Kamba.

(“Hustisya sigaw rin ng mga kaanak ng napatay na MILF,” ABS-CBN News, February 1 ; “MILF also seeks justice for 18 slain fighters,” ABS-CBN News, February 2)

MILF members who survived the clash said “they tried to abide by the ceasefire agreement.” But they were forced to fight back when they were caught in the exchange of fire. MILF said members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armies were also involved in the incident.

(“Kin of MILF dead in Mamasapano also cry for justice, seek explanations,” GMA News Online, February 2; “Kaanak ng 18 miyembro ng MILF na nasawi sa engkwentro, katarungan ang hiling,” GMA News, February 3)