Premature, Marines say of MILF probe results on Tipo-tipo clash

Premature. This was how the Philippine Marines described Monday the report released by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clearing its fighters from beheading 10 of the 14 Marines killed during a heated firefight in Tipo-tipo, Basilan last July 10. "We think it is too early to say. First of all, they were the ones who ambushed the troops. They should not preempt the investigation of the CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities)," said Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan. But Caculitan said the MILF proposal to have the matter looked into by an international human rights group would be welcome. "We cannot close our doors to international human rights groups." Earlier in the day, the MILF maintained on its website that the clash in Tipo-tipo was a "legitimate clash" and not an ambush as claimed by the government forces. Likewise, the MILF said it was not responsible for the beheading of 10 of the 14 soldier-fatalities. On the insistence of the MILF that the July 10 was a legitimate encounter, Caculitan said: "We have (a) video footage that will support us (that it was an ambush). The soldiers were not on offensive mode, they were on their way back." Asked who were responsible for the beheading, the Marine spokesman said: "That is something that has to be found out by the CCCH. Let the investigation go ahead. Let us not preempt this." - GMANews.TV