AFP, MILF eye joint peace and security team

OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. along with the high-ranking official of the AFP and MILF conducted a peace dialogue following the firefight incident that lasted up to three days in the area

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces have agreed to establish a Joint Peace and Security Team that will secure peace and development in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan province.

The Office of the President Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity said the move comes after an “unfortunate” encounter recently happened between the two forces amid the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. along with the high-ranking official of the AFP and MILF conducted a peace dialogue following the firefight incident that lasted up to three days in the area.

The encounter started around 12:25 p.m. on Tuesday, 8 November in Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan town in the province due to the presence of lawless elements in the area — who were allegedly coddled by the MILF and believed to be fabricating improvised explosive devices.

“First, it is for the MILF to inform the military of the presence of the lawless elements in their area and second, it is for the military, AFP, and the LGUs to work closely and ensure coordination to address the presence of the lawless groups in Basilan,” Galvez said.

“Third, we need to bring normalcy in the area, especially in the rehabilitation of Madrasah,” he added.

Galvez also urged for the protection and sustenance of the Bangsamoro peace process as “spoilers of peace and development might take advantage of the situation.”

The OPAPRU earlier said the Government-MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group exerted all efforts to deescalate the tensions and prevent further casualties of the incident.