Military not suspending ceasefire agreement with MILF despite tragic clash

MANILA, Philippines—The military has no plan of suspending the prevailing ceasefire agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) despite the encounter between the Moro rebels and the military in Al Barka town in Basilan, which left 19 soldiers dead, earlier this week.

In a press briefing held at Armed Forces main headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Colonel Dickson Hermoso, chief if the peace process office, said the military’s leadership has yet to decide on the matter.

The statement came amid calls from some sectors that the ongoing peace negotiations with the MILF’s central leadership be abolished following the recent clash between the Armed Forces and the MILF in Basilan. Nineteen soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in the clash, which occurred Tuesday.

Among those calling for the suspension of peace talks is Muntinlupa Representative Chairman Rodolfo Biazon, who heads the House defense committee.

“Suspending the ceasefire agreement remains to be resolved in the higher office of the military,” Hermoso told reporters.

The ceasefire agreement is in accordance with the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF leadership.

Hermogenes also said they are still awaiting the results of the military’s investigation on the clashsday.