Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Reconcilia­tion meeting restores Basilan peace

Soldiers and Muslim rebels give peace a chance after their deadly encounter

- BY NONOY LACSON

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.

“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.

 ?? PhotograPh by analy labor for the daily tribune @tribunephl_ana ?? teaCher uses multiple umbrellas to shield herself from heavy rain on thursday. PagaSa said at least two or three typhoons are expected to hit the country before this month ends.
PhotograPh by analy labor for the daily tribune @tribunephl_ana teaCher uses multiple umbrellas to shield herself from heavy rain on thursday. PagaSa said at least two or three typhoons are expected to hit the country before this month ends.

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