The Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) allegedly involved in the Basilan clash on January 22, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including two soldiers.
According to PBGen. Jean Fajardo, PNP Spokesperson and PRO-3 Regional Director, the Police Regional Office (PRO) – Bangsamoro is currently preparing charges against an undisclosed number of suspects.
Fajardo said that the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been actively coordinating with the MILF leadership regarding the said case, adding that they are expecting the group to turn over those involved in the encounter.
"Inaasahan din po natin on the part po ng MILF leadership po ay makikipagtulungan po sila para iharap po sa atin, at ‘yung mga taong responsable po dito ay mananagot po sa batas," Fajardo said during a press briefing on Monday.
Meanwhile, the MILF has launched its own investigation, presenting a different version from the military's account.
The group allegedly insisted that the Philippine Army troops did not seek the group's approval for their escort mission in the area, a claim that was dismissed by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Brawner maintained that the AFP does not need to seek permission every time it enters the Basilan area, but emphasized that proper coordination is still carried out for such activities.
The clash took place at 4 p.m. in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng, where some soldiers from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were left killed and wounded.
Military personnel were providing security for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) staff working on a peace and development project in the town when the clash broke out.
Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman believed the clash in Sumisip, Basilan was not authorized by the MILF, but he raised concerns over how it escalated to the burning of a military truck despite the peace mechanism in place.
The AFP had previously awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal to soldiers injured in the clash, in recognition of their bravery and heroism.
