Fidel Ramos lists 10 'factors' behind Mamasapano tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Wednesday issued a statement on the Mindanao peace process and enumerated what he believes are the possible reasons behind Sunday's bloodshed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Ramos, who founded the police Special Action Force during his term, found the irreparable loss of 44 commandos in Mamapasano town needless as the operation's targets are yet to be confirmed dead.

"The intended mission of the SAF contingent was to capture Malaysian Zulkifli Abdul Hir (also known as Marwan) and Filipino Basit Usman, both notorious terrorists," Ramos said. "Ironically, it has not been confirmed if these wanted criminals were fully accounted for."

Ramos cited factors that led to the elite forces' clash with fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which the government has signed a preliminary peace deal with.

"It is ... clear that the tragic happening was a combination of these factors," he said.

1. Inadequate confidence-building measures (CBMs) among the civilian-military-police stakeholders
2. Poor or lack of coordination
3. Faulty written SOPs and rules of engagement
4. Slipshod monitoring of the existing "ceasefire"
5. Between maneuver and fire support elements, lack of teamwork
6. Poor unit troop leadership
7. Poor tactical intelligence
8. Lack of sincerity to pursue peace on the part of the MILF
9. Inadequate command guidance from the higher commander
10. Poor strategic direction from the Commander-in-Chief

Ramos also said government peace negotiators should have consulted retired military and police officers who were assigned in Mindanao.

He also said that the deaths of young police enforcers were "needless" and are "more than enough cause for national mourning."

The Philippine Star