TRANSCRIPT OF AMBUSH INTERVIEW
WITH SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON

Q: On the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) even after the Mamasapano incident

SPFMD: The effort to pass the BBL will be more difficult, it has become more complicated, but let us not let this incident on the Mamasapano stand in the way of achieving peace in Mindanao.

The BBL is the product of the peace pact and this is our opportunity to have lasting peace in Mindanao. Kaya po sana bigyan parin natin ng kaukulang pansin ito, kahit mas mahirap na -admittedly- ang pagtulak sa BBL.

Q: What is your impression on the incident after the first two Senate hearings? Saan po nagkaroon ng pagkukulang?

SPFMD: Well obviously I am not happy with the way General Purisima has been answering our questions. Kung sa husgado po, ay walang credibility ang kanyang mga sagot. He has not been able to persuade the senators that what he was saying was the truth.

Q: Ano po ang liability ni Purisima, administrative man o criminal, sa kanyang meddling in the operation?

SPFMD: Hindi ko alam. I wish I knew, since that is not usual, at hindi ko pa napagaaralan. Maybe the Ombudsman can answer that better.

Q: What do you think of the MILF leadership's refusal so far to attend the Senate hearings?

SPFMD: It does not help any our effort to pass the BBL. I strongly suggest na they be part of the process of rebuilding confidence between the two partners. Hindi pwedeng gobyerno lamang, dapat ang MILF ay ating partners in peace. They should do their share in building confidence in the peace that admittedly has suffered because of this incident.

Q: Paano po mareresolve ang mutual distrust between the AFP and the PNP dahil dito sa nangyaring insidente?

SPFMD: Dapat siguro ay magusap sila. Walang ibang paraan para iyan ay maayos. They must trust each other, at hindi pwedeng magpatuloy ang ganyang klaseng di-pagkakaintindihan. They should have a continuous dialogue.

Q: Sabi po ni Professor Ferrer ng OPAPP na nahurt daw ang feelings ng MILF dahil daw sa conduct ng Senate hearings.

SPFMD: Ang mga Senate hearings po ay para malaman ng Senado at ng taumbayan kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dahilan - at wala namang dahilan - kung bakit sila masasaktan sa mga tanong naming mga senador.

I don't see the point. We are after the truth.

Q: May mga kumalat po na video ukol sa overkill sa ating mga SAF trooper duon sa Mamasapano. Dapat po bang ipakita yuon sa susunod na Senate hearing?

SPFMD: I leave that to the Public Order Committee Chair to decide.