AFP to file criminal raps vs MILF members tagged in Basilan attack | ABS-CBN
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AFP to file criminal raps vs MILF members tagged in Basilan attack
AFP to file criminal raps vs MILF members tagged in Basilan attack
Queenie Casimiro
Published Jan 23, 2025 05:55 PM PHT
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said they would file criminal complaints against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) involved in the attack against soldiers in Sumisip, Basilan.
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said they would file criminal complaints against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) involved in the attack against soldiers in Sumisip, Basilan.
Two soldiers and 2 gunmen from the other side were killed while 12 others were wounded in the encounter.
Two soldiers and 2 gunmen from the other side were killed while 12 others were wounded in the encounter.
WHAT HAPPENED
AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were part of the security team escorting the delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that visited the province to check on the implementation of the project Modelling Livelihood Initiatives all over in Basilan.
AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were part of the security team escorting the delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that visited the province to check on the implementation of the project Modelling Livelihood Initiatives all over in Basilan.
The UNDP group cancelled their trip to Lower Cabengbeng in Sumisip and the soldiers from 32nd IB were on their way back to their headquarters when they were ambushed by a group headed by Najal Buena and Oman Hajal Jalis.
The UNDP group cancelled their trip to Lower Cabengbeng in Sumisip and the soldiers from 32nd IB were on their way back to their headquarters when they were ambushed by a group headed by Najal Buena and Oman Hajal Jalis.
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As the soldiers were engaged in the firefight, Brawner said they noticed the number of the armed men to be increasing.
As the soldiers were engaged in the firefight, Brawner said they noticed the number of the armed men to be increasing.
Brawner added it was only until they saw posts on social media that they were able to identify some of these armed men as members of the 114th MILF Base Command.
Brawner added it was only until they saw posts on social media that they were able to identify some of these armed men as members of the 114th MILF Base Command.
Videos circulating on social media also showed the armed men rejoicing as they torched the military's KM450 utility vehicle.
Videos circulating on social media also showed the armed men rejoicing as they torched the military's KM450 utility vehicle.
Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said the 32nd IB sent reinforcement to be able to extricate their slain and wounded comrades.
Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said the 32nd IB sent reinforcement to be able to extricate their slain and wounded comrades.
Two soldiers died while 12 others were injured. Five of those wounded are being treated in a hospital in Basilan while the rest were airlifted to Zamboanga City.
Two soldiers died while 12 others were injured. Five of those wounded are being treated in a hospital in Basilan while the rest were airlifted to Zamboanga City.
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Brawner visited the 3 soldiers at Camp Navarro General Hospital and pinned them with the Wounded Personnel Medal.
Brawner visited the 3 soldiers at Camp Navarro General Hospital and pinned them with the Wounded Personnel Medal.
Brawner assured assistance were being extended to the families of the two soldiers who perished in the attack.
Brawner assured assistance were being extended to the families of the two soldiers who perished in the attack.
VIOLATION?
The military denied allegations that they violated provisions of the peace agreement by entering Lower Cabengbeng, which the MILF claims to be an "Area of Temporary Stay" (ATS).
The military denied allegations that they violated provisions of the peace agreement by entering Lower Cabengbeng, which the MILF claims to be an "Area of Temporary Stay" (ATS).
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the ATS were only created for a short period of time to provide MILF guerillas a safe haven as they prepare for the implementation of the peace agreement.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the ATS were only created for a short period of time to provide MILF guerillas a safe haven as they prepare for the implementation of the peace agreement.
Nafarrete added that the previously identified ATS all over BARMM are now non-existent.
Nafarrete added that the previously identified ATS all over BARMM are now non-existent.
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The AFP also insisted that the military's movement during the visit of the UNDP delegation was coordinated with the Joint Normalization Committee and was furnished to different units, including the MILF.
The AFP also insisted that the military's movement during the visit of the UNDP delegation was coordinated with the Joint Normalization Committee and was furnished to different units, including the MILF.
Brawner said they have already submitted a protest letter to the GPH-Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities about the incident.
Brawner said they have already submitted a protest letter to the GPH-Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities about the incident.
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