Basilan: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ceasefire panel announced it would investigate the deadly encounter in Barangay Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two soldiers, and injuries to 12 others.

According to Philippines News Agency, Anwar Alamada, chairman of the MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), stated that emissaries have been dispatched to Basilan to instruct MILF troops to disengage and return to their camps and communities. Alamada explained that the MILF 114th Base Command members were taken by surprise when military vehicles carrying soldiers entered their community.

In a radio interview, Alamada mentioned that there was a lack of coordination with village officials and MILF members regarding the arrival of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives and their military escorts. The confrontation occurred around 4 p.m. on Wednesday as soldiers from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were accompanying UNDP representatives to a project site.

Following the clash, MILF members allegedly set an Army truck on fire and shared a video of the incident on Facebook. Alamada emphasized that the MILF does not condone gun violence by its members. Meanwhile, Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez condemned the attack, labeling it as an attempt by peace spoilers. He urged the MILF leadership to take disciplinary measures against those responsible to prevent future occurrences.