ALL-OUT EFFORT FOR MILF ‘POGI POINTS!’

The ALL-OUT EFFORT to portray the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, (MILF) as the heroes in the killing of terrorist-bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman is now UNDENIABLE.

In a story in interaksyon.com., it’s now the Armed Forces which is categorically saying that it was members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, not government assets or his own followers as earlier reported, who killed Usman.  This, despite an earlier pronouncement by no less than Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. that “the shooting that led to the death of Usman was (the result of) infighting among his men in connection with the $1-million bounty” on his head plus P6.3-million raised by the Philippine government. But for all the resources and men at its disposal, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc could only give this very SKETCHY STATEMENT:  “After our verification, we have learned that Basit Usman entered an MILF area. Elements from the MILF then accosted him so that he can be brought to the MILF Central Committee. However, Basit Usman resisted, triggering a firefight that resulted to his death.”

First: Cabunoc’s version is DIFFERENT from that of the MILF. The MILF said Usman and his bodyguards were WALKING with members of the 118^th MILF Base Command purportedly to a meeting with the Front’s Central Committee. But Usman supposedly sensed a deception along the way and tried to fight his way out.

Second: The MILF itself has yet to issue a final, official version of how Usman was killed, even if it had earlier claimed credit for the terrorist’s killing. So how come, from the proverbial out of the blue, the Armed Forces suddenly has a FINAL version, different as it is but just the same portraying the MILF as the real heroes?  Who verified the AFP version and why won’t Cabunoc give a detailed report for media and public scrutiny?

Third: Before the conflicting versions on Usman’s death started coming out, government mouthpieces like peace panel chair Miriam Ferrer and Presidential Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma were already praising the MILF for the killing of Usman.  Now, in one click,  NOBODY is CONTRADICTING THEM ANYMORE.

Fourth: Why did Gen. Catapang issue that statement on in-fighting among Usman’s men for the $1-million reward for his capture? Where did his information come from. Considering his position, Gen. Catapang WOULD NOT SAY SOMETHING to media if he had NO AIR-TIGHT BASIS.  He would not be Armed Forces chief if he was the CARELESS with his pronouncements. I don’t know the guy but for the sake of his own credibility, he had better explain his statement  to the public, and I mean immediately.

If all these are not part of an ALL-OUT, DESPERATE EFFORT FOR ‘POGI POINTS’ for the MILF, I will gladly welcome detailed clarifications. And just asking: Is the PNoy Government THE NEW SPEAKERS’ BUREAU OF THE MILF?  30