Basilan cops' dilemma: What do Marines' killers look like?

Some 250 policemen started at 4 a.m. Tuesday their hunt for 130 suspected killers of 14 Marines in Basilan last July 10, but with one big handicap – they don't know what their subjects look like. Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional police director, admitted this Tuesday as he said they had to rely on the help of local residents. "Hindi ma-identify sa mukha, baka nakasalubong di alam siya na pala yun (We cannot identify the suspects by face. We might already be face to face with them and not know it)," Goltiao said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he said the police are "negotiating" with local residents to help them locate the subjects of the arrest warrants. He also said he has coordinated with the mayors of Al-Barka town and six adjacent towns to help look for the 130 suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front members. A court had issued warrants for the arrest of the 130, who were tagged in the killing and mutilation of the Marines during an encounter in Basilan last July 10. Goltiao said some 250 PNP personnel jumped off at 4 a.m. Tuesday to serve the arrest warrants, even as he said he does not foresee any violent hostilities. On the other hand, Goltiao said the serving of the warrants will be a "purely PNP" operation, and the military will only give support. He also said the MILF's participation will only be through the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). "May senior officer sa Basilan nagsusupervise sa implementation ng arrest warrant (A senior officer in Basilan will supervise the implementation of the arrest warrant)," he said. He added officials of the CCCH will also be in the area to observe the actuations of the PNP. - GMANews.TV