MORONG, Bataan- The Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan Church and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines have joined in asking for a full and transparent inquiry on what happened to 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police– Special Action Force. Rev. Fr. Elmerick Azucena, IFI priest, read the statement of The Most Reverend Ephraim Fajutagana,IFI Obispo Maximo and chairperson of the NCCP, during the Holy Mass in Morong, Bataan prior to the cremation of the remains of PO3 John Llyod Sumbilla.
Sumbilla of Morong was one of the SAF troopers slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25. His remains were cremated in Olongapo City. “We join the many voices that have already been raised for a full and transparent inquiry into the events that unfolded in this awful armed engagement,” the two statements said.
The IFI and NCCP asked President Aquino to mact with sincerity and transparency to fully investigate and account for what occurred. “The President should not allow what happened to undermine the confidence of the ordinary people of Mindanao whose desperate cries for peace need to be responded to with integrity,” the statements said.
Fajutagana urged that government should not be contented in accepting that what happened was a misencounter. “We want to know why the ceasefire arrangements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were not respected and why those with command responsibility were not able to insure the security of so many PNP members who lost their lives,” he said.
He hoped that that there should be no return to an all-out war in Mindanao. “Whatever small lights for peace burning in the hearts of the people should be nurtured with care and kept alive,” the Obispo Maximo said.
“We pray for the families of those who have been killed during this tragic operation by the PNP. We pray that the spirit of Jesus Christ who stands with those who weep and mourn be a real sustaining presence in their lives at this difficult time,” Fajutagana said.
He noted that that there has been a failure of the government and the MILF to ensure broad participation from all Moro groups and also from Indigenous Lumad communities who have largely been marginalized in the peace process.
