Reconciliation meeting restores Basilan peace
Soldiers and Muslim rebels give peace a chance after their deadly encounter
Soldiers and Muslim rebels give peace a chance after their deadly encounter
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front have held a reconciliation meeting in Basilan aimed at restoring peace and preventing a repeat of last week's deadly clash between the military and Muslim rebels in the province.
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. spearheaded the meeting of Western Mindanao Command Acting Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, MILF 114th Base Commander and Bangsamoro Transition Authority Member Dan Asnawie, MILF Commander Huram Malangka and officials of Joint Task Force-Basilan at the 101st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City on Monday.
Galvez reiterated to both parties the essence of the 2014 ceasefire agreement signed by the MILF and the Government of the Philippines.
He urged both parties to re-establish their good relationship as partners in sustaining peace in Basilan.
After a thorough discussion, both parties agreed to exhaust all means to prevent a similar clash from happening again and restore the sanctity of the peace process.
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"This momentous day has served as a venue for reconciliation and restoration of the good relationship among peace advocates. I am confident that because of the renewed commitment of both parties to work together for peace, we will be able to further enhance the security posture not only in Basilan but in the entire Bangsamoro region," Rojas said.
'We are looking forward to a renewed and stronger partnership with our friends from the MILF," JTF-Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway said during the meeting.
Three soldiers of the Army's 101st Infantry Brigade were killed and 15 others were wounded, including a junior officer, while five MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces' 114 Base Command fighters reportedly died and an undetermined number of other Muslim rebels were wounded in the fighting between the two sides that erupted in Barangay Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan town on 8 November.
The fighting reportedly triggered by the shooting of an escort of a military officer in the village spread to the adjacent villages of Mebak and Bato.
