Muslim rebels maintained that they acted purely in “self-defense” in a clash that killed 44 police commandos in Maguindanao last month, despite police claims that they were ambushed.

The botched anti-terror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province saw the single biggest loss of life of government forces in recent memory and has cast doubt over the peace process, sparking calls for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino 3rd.