Cotabato City, Philippines โ As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) marked its 6th foundation anniversary, a deadly encounter between soldiers and armed groups, including one affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has cast a shadow over the celebrations. Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has called for calm and emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution through established mechanisms.
โThis incident is particularly disheartening as it transpired during the weeklong celebration of the 6th Foundation Anniversary of BARMM, a period that symbolizes unity, peace, and progress in our region,โ Ebrahim stated. โWe urge all parties to remain calm as we work towards addressing this incident through appropriate channels.โ
Ebrahim reaffirmed the Bangsamoro governmentโs commitment to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), particularly its Annex on Normalization, as the foundation for lasting peace. โThese mechanisms have been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring accountability on all sides,โ he said, stressing the importance of unity in achieving genuine peace.
The Basilan Encounter
The deadly clash occurred in Sumisip, Basilan, as the 32nd Infantry Battalion provided security for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) personnel conducting a peace and development project. The ambush left two soldiers dead and 12 others injured. Two armed men were also reportedly killed.
The fallen soldiers, Corporal Orland James Diamel and Private First Class Mark Barat, were lauded for their service. Local officials and family members have arranged separate โheroโs burialsโ to honor their sacrifice.
Honoring the Fallen Soldiers
Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, confirmed they transported Baratโs remains to his hometown of Carmen, Cotabato, where his family and local officials plan to give him a special burial. In Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, Diamelโs community is preparing similar honors.
Baratโs girlfriend of eight years, Antonette Mylah Nibre Brizo, expressed her grief but took solace in his dedication. โYes, it is so painful for us, but we stand strong, inspired by his supreme sacrifice for our country and God,โ she said tearfully.
Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliรฑo-Mendoza also expressed pride in Baratโs service and pledged her support to his family. โHe served Filipinos with courage and honor,โ she said.
Calls for Coordination
Local officials and MILF representatives have pointed to a lack of coordination as a possible factor in the tragedy.
Anwar Alamada, head of the MILFโs ceasefire monitoring group, noted that the deadly incident might have been avoided if proper protocols had been followed. โThere are protocols on that, set by the MILF and the government,โ he said in an interview with Catholic Station DXMS in Cotabato City.
Sources revealed that the UNDP teamโs itinerary had changed, potentially contributing to the confusion that led to the ambush. Despite the tragedy, efforts are underway to address the situation through existing peace mechanisms.
Call for Peace and Sobriety
As the region mourns the loss of life, Ebrahimโs call for calm underscores the need to preserve the fragile peace in the Bangsamoro region.
โLet us remain committed to dialogue and the principles that have brought us this far on the path to lasting peace,โ he concluded.
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