“Bantay Ceasefire” report on the clashes in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in late January 2006

by | Feb 2, 2006 | Papers, Peace Process, Resources

Bantay Ceasefire investigated the reported clashes in Barangays Tapikan, Coloy and Nabundas, Mamasapano town, Maguindanao in January. BC found out, among others, that clash between 105th Base Command MILF-BIAF and 106th Base Command MILF-BIAF on January 25, 2006 in Brgy. Kaykaya, Datu Abdullah Sangki was an internal problem of the MILF Command coordination. The intervention of paramilitary troops (CAFGU’s and CVO’s) in the said conflict complicated the situation.

Location: Barangays Tapikan, Coloy and Nabundas, Mamasapano town, Maguindanao

Matter Investigated: Armed Engagements between BIAF under 105th Base Command and Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO)

Key Findings

Disputed:

  1. Whether or not Commander Malakal Mama intentionally attacked the warehouse of a certain Busikong in Barangay Nabundas or just passing by on his way to reinforce Cmdr. Said Pakiladatu in Brgy. Kayakaya, Datu Abdullah Sangki on Jan. 25, 2006.
  2. Whether or not the elements of the CVO’s and CAFGU’s advanced to Brgy. Tapikan, Mamasapano that triggered the renewed skirmishes on Jan. 29, 2006.
  3. Whether or not the AFP engage the MILF (exchange of mortar shelling forces in Tapikan on Jan. 31, 2006.

Undisputed:

  1. That the first skirmishes started between 105th Base Command and 106th Base Command of the MILF-BIAF in Brgy. Kayakaya, Datu Abdullah Sangki on Jan. 25, 2006.
  2. That the renewed fighting on January 29, 2006 was between Cmdr. Malakal Mama and elements of CAFGU’s and CVO’s.
  3. That thousands of civilians were displaced from their communities as a result of this skirmishes.
  4. No clearly defined “safe areas” for IDPs, thus the difficulty in accounting for the numbers.
  5. Inadequate relief assistance to evacuees.


Analysis

Coordination Problem of the MILF Internal Command

The clash between 105th Base Command MILF-BIAF and 106th Base Command MILF-BIAF in on January 25, 2006 in Brgy. Kaykaya, Datu Abdullah Sangki was an internal problem of the MILF Command coordination. The intervention of paramilitary troops (CAFGU’s and CVO’s) in the said conflict complicated the situation.

Clan Feud or “Rido” angle

The Brgy. Nabundas, Mamasapano clashes between Cmdr. Malakal Mama and elements of CAFGU’s and CVO’s have two different angles to consider. First, Cmdr. Malakal Mama tried to reinforce his comrade Cmdr. Said Pakiladatu in Brgy. Kayakaya and on his way blocked and encountered the CVO’s and CAFGU’s in Brgy. Nabundas. Second, Cmdr. Malakal Mama not really intended to reinforce his forces to Brgy. Kayakaya but to assault a warehouse in Brgy Nabundas, Mamasapano owned by a certain Busikong as the two had had a standing clan feud. Bantay ceasefire learned from the civilians interviewed that sometime in the past the son of Malakal was shot and killed by the brother of Busikong and Malakal in revenge killed the brother of Busikong. During the January 25, 2006 assault, another CVO member identified with Busikong died. The January 29, 2006 resumption of fighting in Brgy. Tapikan, Mamasapano between 105th Base Command MILF-BIAF and elements of CAFGU’s and CVO’s have bearing to larger scope of a long standing clan feud between local politicians and elements of the 105th Base Command who happens to be native residents of the area. Though publicly known, the local people do not give details of this “rido” because these families are influential- the Ampatuans as against Ustadz Amiril Kato and several of his men in the 105th Base Command MILF-BIAF – and the people fear getting involved in the clan feud.

Read full text of report (in pdf, 60kb, 5pp.)