Members of the International Monitoring Team Calls on Basilan Governor Jim Salliman (center) Friday at the Provincial Capitol.-photo by: Richard Falcatan/Newsline.ph
BASILAN CITY, Philippines — Members of the International Monitoring Team arrived here Friday, January 5, 2018 to conduct their investigation on the alleged misencounter between the Joint Task Force Basilan and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In November 8, 2017, six soldiers were killed and four other wounded when the government troopers clashed with suspected members of the MILF and their supporters in Sumisip town.
But members of the MILF claimed the military entered their area, a reason why they fought back.
The MILF leadership then called for an investigation.
The 2017, military report stated, Elements of the 18th Infantry Battalion conducted a strike operation against the Abu Sayyaf under Siar Alhamsirol and Parong Tedi in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip at 12:41 of November 8.
Colonel Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Basilan said the Abu Sayyaf got reinforcement from lawless elements that engaged the troops near the Basilan circumferential road in Sumisip.
The firefight lasted for about 4 hours, leading to an undetermined number of casualties on the other side, the military officer said.
The International Monitoring Team is now in Basilan to investigate the incident.-Richard G. Falcatan/Newsline.phÂ
