Brawner: Talks ongoing for surrender of MILF members in Basilan clash

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday that negotiations are ongoing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to surrender its members involved in the fatal clash in Basilan.

“Continuous po yung ating negotiations with them (Our negotiations with them are continuous),” Brawner said in an ambush interview when asked if the MILF made an initiative to turn in the involved members to authorities.

Brawner said the AFP has already filed a protest over the involvement of some MILF members in the clash.

“We are following the peace mechanisms. Meron naman po tayong peace mechanisms na sinusunod. So nag-file na po tayo ng protesta laban sa mga miyembro ng MILF na sumama dun sa pag-ambush ng mga tropa natin sa Basilan,” he said.

(We are following the peace mechanisms. We have peace mechanisms that are being followed. So we have filed a protest against the MILF members who joined the ambush of our troops in Basilan.)

Meanwhile, Brawner said authorities also continue to hunt down the lawless elements who were involved in the encounter from another armed group.

On January 22, two soldiers and two lawless elements were killed in the encounter when two armed groups including MILF members attacked the 32nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

The clash happened despite an existing peace deal.

MILF’s Peace Implementing Panel chairperson Mohagher Iqbal earlier said the clash may have been caused by the lack of coordination between the two sides.

However, Brawner had said that coordination was done with the MILF.

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF will enhance their ties following the fatal clash, according to the GPH Peace Implementing Panel.

"The incident is a reminder for all parties, that respect, level-headedness, and empathy are essential in arriving at a solution that is just and principled for all," the GPH Peace Implementing Panel earlier said.

"To this end, the Parties, with our peace mechanisms endeavor to intensify our ground engagements, close coordination, and open dialogue to maintain the same degree of trust and confidence at the higher level, which we have carefully nurtured for years to bring just and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro," it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News