Senator Francis Esucdero indicated Monday that it is too soon to say if the killing of Abdul Basit Usman reportedly by members of the Moro Islmic Liberation Front (MILF) would boost confidence in the rebel group amid the peace process with government.
Sen. Escudero
“It may help increase the belief in their sincerity but it has to be verified first.”, the senator said with regards to MILF’s sincerity in the peace process following Usman’s death.
Usman was confirmed dead by two local officials Sunday in a chance encounter with MILF members.
Escudero, however, cited different versions of how the alleged terrorist was terminated. One report said he was killed during infighting among his bodyguards.
“Well, given these stories, all the more reason that we should know the circumstances,” he said.
“I am not diminishing, however, the gains in our fight against terrorism with his (Usman) elimination, if true, regardless of the circumstances,” the senator added.
Earlier, Escudero called on the MILF to clear the Bangsamoro areas of terrorists before the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law would be passed by Congress.
MILF sincerity was first questioned after 44 police commandos were bludgeoned to death earlier this year.
During the Mamasapano operations, Usman was one of the targets but managed to escape while Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” was successfully killed.
H/T: Inquirer.net; Photo lifted from Google