Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. urged the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to investigate the recent encounter in Sumisip, Basilan, that led to the “tragic” deaths of two soldiers.

Galvez “strongly condemned” the encounter that occurred at Barangay Lower Cabengbeng in Sumisip, Basilan, on January 22, while troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were providing security to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) personnel implementing a “crucial peace and development project” in the area.

“This cowardly act was perpetrated by lawless armed men who intend to derail the peace process that Basilan is now starting to enjoy,” said Galvez.

Galvez lamented that two soldiers were killed in the attack, while 12 others were wounded and brought to a hospital in Lamitan City.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the families of the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace,” he said.

According to initial reports, one of the two groups that perpetrated the attacks is allegedly linked to the MILF.

Galvez said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, in coordination with the Provincial Local Government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police, had already deployed relevant peace mechanisms following the incident.

He added that the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, the Joint Peace and Security Committee, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, and Joint Peace and Security Teams had been activated to de-escalate tensions on the ground and “facilitate a swift and impartial investigation to establish the facts and circumstances of the incident.”

“We also call on the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to conduct its investigation and help bring the perpetrators to justice,” Galvez urged the Moro group.

The Philippine government and the MILF agreed to implement their existing Bangsamoro peace process agreement.