Gov’t soldiers in MILF lair given ‘safe space’ as negotiations averted clash
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — After talks avoided an encounter, 39 soldiers were allowed to spend the night in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stronghold of Maguing town in Lanao del Sur.
The Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities between the MILF and the Philippine government stepped in to prevent a clash, according to a statement released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on Thursday.
On Tuesday, February 7th, government troops operating against communist rebels passed through the MILF camp.
“It was a simple case of miscommunication between a platoon of Army Special Forces under the 4th Infantry Division passing through the area of Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) during an operation against the communist New People’s Army,” the OPAPRU said in a statement.
READ: MILF, Army in ‘near encounter’ in Lanao del Sur
“The MILF-BIAF provided the troopers a safe space to spend the night on February 7 and to effect the established procedures with the joint ceasefire mechanisms,” it added.
The government soldiers have since returned to their home base after the peaceful resolution, the OPAPRU also said.
“This is another testament of the parties’ high regard [for] the peace process and their tolerance that prevented possible untoward incidents to happen despite the problem in communication due to poor signal in the area. The deep understanding of the peace process and ceasefire guidelines was instrumental for its swift resolution,” the OPAPRU continued.
According to OPAPRU, the dismantling of the MILF forces is necessary to fulfill the terms of the peace agreement it signed with the Philippine government in 2014.
