ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recently formed a "reconciliation task force" to address, mitigate and resolve the sporadic skirmishes occurring in Pikit town, Cotabato province since the start of this year.

BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim disclosed that the task force was formed on Saturday after a meeting to discuss issues concerning peace and order in Pikit town.

Saturday's meeting was prompted by the visit of Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan to the Chief Minister on Thursday, 10 November, where he requested the assistance of the BARMM leadership in addressing the peace and order condition in his town.

Ebrahim said the Task Force on Reconciliation — to be headed by BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua — will have a broad base to include representatives from Cotabato local government unit, 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, BARMM's Police Regional Office, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other sectors.

He added that some root causes of the conflicts were partly identified and discussed during the meeting such as land conflict issues and injustices which were not addressed in the past.

The Task Force will also have two panels that will work for the prevention of violence and to ensure that the conflicts will not spread in Aleosan, and BARMM's Special Geographic Area.

"We should identify the root cause of the problem and strengthen the reconciliation so that we could start to negotiate as soon as possible," Ebrahim said.

To recall, several shooting encounters happened in Pikit town this year alone, which bothered the people of this town and nearby areas. Many residents were even displaced as a result of the fire shot exchanges between armed groups.

Existing mechanisms in the LGUs of Pikit and Cotabato province that are addressing the issue shall continue to operate.

Meantime, MILF commanders and the leaders of the Christian communities in Cotabato province signified their commitment to work together to de-escalate violence in the area.