Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Multimedia Network - BMN's
OPAPRU cites MILF CCCH, joint mechanisms in ending Sultan sa Barongis clash
RAJAH BUAYAN, Maguindanao del Sur — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) was among the peace partners cited by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) for helping end the Oct. 8 firefight in Sultan sa Barongis.
In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 15, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento thanked MILF CCCH Chair Malik Caril and Government of the Philippines (GPH) CCCH Chair Gen. Patricio Amata "for their close coordination in managing the situation." He also thanked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and BGen. Edgar Catu, assistant division commander of the 6th Infantry Division.
The clash broke out late in the morning of Oct. 8 in Sitio Libal and Barangays Kulambog and Papakan. OPAPRU said it involved local MILF commanders, including Cmdr. Teng Mamo of Task Force Etihad and Cmdr. Basco of the 105th Base Command. Private armed groups and lawless elements associated with Datu Ban and Kagui Nasser were also involved.
After Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) sent real-time security alerts, peace monitors immediately notified the MILF CCCH and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).
An emergency ceasefire dialogue was then convened at the 34th Infantry Battalion (34IB) headquarters here. Caril and Amata met with the mayors and police chiefs of Sultan sa Barongis and Mamasapano and with base and field commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)-MILF. The firefight ceased following the intervention of the 34IB.
Caril later joined OPAPRU officials and BGen. Gremel Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry "Unifier" Brigade, at the Peace Center. There they worked out long-term interventions to prevent similar conflicts.
To separate the opposing factions and prevent renewed clashes, the joint peace mechanisms agreed to deploy JPSTs as a neutral buffer force in Barangay Darampua, Sultan sa Barongis. The Sultan sa Barongis mayor formally requested the deployment through the Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC). It was coordinated with the 34IB leadership under Lt. Col. Wellard Maquida.
Under the agreed framework, local mayors and peace partners urged lawless elements to leave Sultan sa Barongis. This would allow joint law enforcement operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP to restore normalcy in the affected communities.
Sarmiento also lauded BGen. Ricky Bunayog, acting commander of the 6th Infantry Division; Brual; and Maquida. He said their leadership and prompt intervention were key to ending the firefight.
He further thanked "all the men and women, local officials, and peace partners who acted swiftly to protect our communities and sustain the gains of peace."
"The resolution of the conflict in Sultan sa Barongis is a testament to the effectiveness of the AFP and PNP in resolving situations of conflict, and the invaluable role of our joint GPH and MILF peace mechanisms in de-escalating tensions through peaceful and inclusive dialogue," Sarmiento said.
The peace mechanisms have set a formal follow-up dialogue on Monday, Oct. 19, at the 34IB headquarters to restore normalcy and help displaced residents return home safely.