By Genalyn D. Kabiling
An investigation will be conducted on the anti-illegal drug operation that left nine members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front dead in North Cotabato, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the probe would determine if the MILF members were really involved in the illegal drugs trade.
The MILF has called for an impartial investigation into the killing of its nine members, saying they were not involved in drug trafficking as claimed by the police.
“Well, nagsampa naman po sila ng pormal na protesta ‘no. So magkakaroon po iyan ng mekanismo, masisimulan po iyong mekanismo, magkakaroon po ng imbestigasyon,” Roque said during a Palace press briefing.
“Antayin muna po natin kung anong resulta ng imbestigasyon kung totoo na ilan sa mga miyembro ng MILF ay nadawit sa pangangalakal ng droga. So malalaman po natin ang katotohanan, dahil doon sa kasunduan po natin sa MILF, eh magkaroon po iyan ng imbestigasyon,” he added.
Authorities has said nine suspected drug suspects were killed during a joint military and police operation in Barangay Kilada, Matalam, North Cotabato.
The troops, armed with a search warrant from a judge against two individuals, were reportedly forced to neutralize the suspects when they were fired upon. Suspected drugs and firearms were reportedly confiscated during the raid.
The MILF, however, reportedly denied the police claims, saying the members were unarmed and that no drugs were found.
