ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to establish a Joint Peace and Security Team to monitor security concerns and the preservation of the peace process in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.
The agreement was made during a meeting led by Secretary Carlito Galvez, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, at the 101st Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela, Basilan on Monday, Nov. 14.
Secretary Galvez reminded both camps of the 2014 ceasefire agreement signed by the national government and the MILF as he encouraged them to re-establish their ‘good relationship as partners in sustaining peace in the province of Basilan.’
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan Commander, said they are looking forward to renewing the partnership with the MILF which he describes as one of the military’s active supporters in its campaign against terrorism.
The MILF officials, for their part, expressed their continuous support to the military in eliminating all terrorist threats, particularly those from the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements.
Both parties vowed to do their best to prevent miscommunication and misunderstanding that could lead to the eventual breakdown of the peace and security in Basilan.
The meeting was also attended by Western Mindanao Command chief Brig. Gen Arturo Rojas, BGen. Eduardo Gubat, Chairman of the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH); Col. Frederick Sales, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Cyril Santander, Commanding Officer of the 18th Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. John Ferdinand Lazo, Commanding Officer of the 64th Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Bernard Samin, Commanding Officer of the 4th Special Forces Battalion; Butch Malalang, Chairman of the MILF CCCH; Anwar Alamada, Chairman of the MILF-AHJAG; Dan Asnawie, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member and Commander of 114th Base Command of the MILF in Basilan; and MILF Commander Huram Malangka.
The meeting was held following clashes between the military and the MILF in Ungkaya Pukan last week.