Army, MILF agree to end fighting in Basilan

ISABELA CITY – Guns fell silent in the southern Muslim province of Basilan following deadly clashes between government soldiers and former rebels, but tension remains high as both sides agreed to a ceasefire.

The Western Mindanao Command said three soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded in the fighting between the Philippine Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF. It said five former rebels were killed in fierce clashes in the t0wn of Ungkaya Pukan since November 8. 

Fighting stopped on November 10 after both sides agreed to a ceasefire. 

The Western Mindanao Command said government and MILF peace panels met in Isabela City and agreed on the following conditions: The immediate pullout out of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) that reinforced the MILF in the town who are not residents of Ulitan; to allow the return of the group of MILF Commander Huram Malangka of BIAF 114^th Base Command and their families who are residents of Ulitan village together with their firearms, but weapons should be kept within their respective houses as they wait decommissioning; to establish a composite AFP, PNP and MILF detachment to address lawless elements in the area; and that issues and concerns regarding MILF in Ungkaya Pukan should be immediately reported to the GPH-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. 

The MILF has accused security forces of encroaching on its so-called territories in the town, but a military official said the area has been a lair of lawless groups, including the Abu Sayyaf.

 “The armed encounter between the Philippine Army's 101st Infantry Brigade and elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces on Nov. 8 in Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan was an unfortunate incident that no one desired to happen, especially during the implementation of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro and while the peace process' dividends started to be felt by the people,” said Mohagher Iqbal, head of the MILF’s peace panel. 

He also urged the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, to leave no stone unturned and thoroughly investigate the situation to ensure similar incidents will not happen again. 

Navy Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, the acting chief of the Western Mindanao Command, has ordered troops to strengthen their defensive position in Ungkaya Pukan, a major stronghold of the MILF. 

“I ordered the troops to strengthen their defensive position to avoid casualties and collateral damage. Reinforcing units were already identified for contingency and deterrence, however, their deployment as the situation develops and warrants shall be cleared with higher leaderships. Nevertheless, my primary order is to protect the integrity of the peace process and abide by the ceasefire agreement. Rest assured that we are on top of the situation and we are for peace,” he said, adding the military is on top of the situation. 

The MILF under Murad Ebrahim, now the governor of the Bangsamoro autonomous region, signed a peace deal with the government in 2014. The MILF, which was previously accused by the military of terrorism and aiding foreign terrorists, has taken advantage of the peace negotiation by recruiting more members and further strengthening its forces in the South with government aid used to purchase more weapons. (Mindanao Examiner)