TAGUM CITY -“He is a liar.”
This was the statement made by Abu Misry Mama, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter, on Tuesday refuting the claim of suspended Special Action Force chief Supt. Getulio Napenas that 250 Moro rebels were killed by SAF forces in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.
“The BIFF suffered only two casualties contrary to his claim. What he claims is impossible to happen because BIFF forces have been deployed in strategic areas when SAF forces attacked us,” sayid Mama.
In a Senate-led inquiry Monday on the Mamapasano carnage, Napenas claimed that both MILF and BIFF have suffered heavy casualties when SAF shot down an estimate of 250 Moro rebels.
The estimates, according to Napenas, was given to him by Supt. Raymund Train, commander of Special Action Force assault force who was part of the SAF team that clashed with the Moro rebels.
Mama said that the government troops must accept the reality–that they lost in the Mamapasano gun battle.
He also denied that Basit Usman is under BIFF’s enclave in Mamasapano.
Reports revealed that Usman is still in Mamapasano and has been seen in Barangay Pidsandawan, Liguasan Delta and boundaries of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.
On Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that an operation is ongoing to hunt and capture Basit Usman, the Filipino bomb maker linked to terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf Group and Jeemah Islamiyah.
AFP’s Public Affairs officer Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc confirmed the said operation in a television interview but declined to give specific details.
“We don’t have Usman! This is another lie so that they will pin down the BIFF,” stressed Mama. (davaotoday.com)
