The full report of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team on the October 18 incident in Al-Barka, Basilan, where 19 members of the Special Forces were killed, is out, according to www.luwaran.com.
Official copies were reportedly submitted to the Malaysian facilitator and to the chairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and government peace panels.
The 45-page document however, is said to remain a classified document until the parties agree to publicize it. Most likely, it will be made public after the next of round of talks in Kuala Lumpur in January next year.
The report contains photographs of killed or wounded combatants during the October 18 fighting, as well as schools, madrasahs, and other private and public buildings located within the perimeter of the incident.
The IMT-led investigation or validation of the Al-Barka, Basilan incident started on November 29 and ended on December 5, while the GPH and MILF peace panels were holding talks in the Malaysian capital.
The report finally being finished and submitted to the two peace panels is a sign of development. With the report, the two sides can move on to discuss accountability and law enforcement, whoever might have committed wrongdoing. The important thing is that facts have been gathered and the two sides are willing to sit down and resolve whatever differences they have.
