Aquino to lead command conference on Basilan clash on Friday

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino will lead a command conference in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday to discuss Tuesday’s clash between troops of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Albarkah town in Basilan.

“I have called for a command conference on Friday when the secretary of national defense arrives to precisely tackle the issue,” Aquino said in a short statement issued by the Palace on Wednesday.

Palace officials said the executive was now focusing on getting the facts straight on the incident that claimed the lives of 13 soldiers.

The AFP Inspector General has been instructed by Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo Oban to go to Basilan to “ascertain the facts,” according to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.