MANILA, Philippines – Four people were killed and at least a dozen others wounded in a deadly ambush on Wednesday, January 22, in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng, Sumisip town, Basilan province.
The attack sent shockwaves through the military and the provincial government, which pointed to a group linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as among those responsible for the assault.
Officials said the ambush occurred while troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were out to provide security for a team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during a community engagement.
The UNDP representatives, in the area since Tuesday, January 21, were conducting a validation mission and coordinating with stakeholders on a livelihood project initiative. The activity, the military said, had been coordinated with a monitoring committee that included the MILF.
There were no reports of any UNDP representatives being hurt.
In a statement, Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, confirmed that two soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded during the firefight. He said initial reports indicated that two attackers were also killed, with more casualties likely among their ranks.
The military said the soldiers, while securing the area, came under fire from a group led by Najal Buena and Oman Hajal Jalis, known for their involvement in local violent conflicts. The attackers also burned a military-owned KM450 light utility truck.
The military said the group was “supported by some members” of the MILF.
Luzon condemned the attack, saying it targeted soldiers deployed to support peacebuilding efforts during an election gun ban.
He added that the military is collaborating with the MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities to investigate the incident and prevent further violence.
The ambush raised fresh concerns about the involvement of an armed group linked to the MILF.
The MILF, which once fought the government, now wields political influence through its party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). The group dominates the Bangsamoro regional government, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 2019.
The ambush comes as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares for its first parliamentary elections, set to coincide with the midterm polls this May. It cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, indicative of tensions that persist despite years of negotiation and political transition.
Luzon said the attack raised “significant concerns about their role in fostering peace and stability.” He urged the MILF to “take immediate action against [its] members involved in this incident.”
“Their participation undermines the principles of the peace agreement and threatens the progress made in normalization efforts. Accountability is critical to maintaining trust and ensuring the integrity of the peace process,” Luzon said.
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman also expressed frustration and called on MILF leaders and security forces to “find common ground to resolve the issue and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.”
“The incident was perpetrated by misguided elements of the MILF intent on spoiling or destroying the peace and tranquility of the province,” Salliman said. “We strongly denounce this attack and extend our condolences to the families of those affected.”
Luzon reiterated the military’s commitment to working with local governments, MILF leadership, and other peace stakeholders to ensure community safety and security.
Salliman, for his part, called for a thorough investigation into the incident and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to peace and security in the region.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. condemned the ambush, calling it a “cowardly act” by armed men seeking to disrupt the province’s emerging peace.
“We also call on the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to conduct its own investigation and help bring the perpetrators to justice,” Galvez said.
He national and local officials, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), have all relevant peace mechanisms. These include the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, the Joint Peace Security Committee, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, and the Joint Peace and Security Teams.
“These measures aim to de-escalate tensions on the ground and facilitate a swift and impartial investigation to establish the facts and circumstances of the incident,” Galvez said. – Rappler.com