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HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman has called for an investigation into a recent encounter between government forces and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Sumisip, Basilan.
Hataman filed House Resolution 2206 on Jan. 28, directing the House to investigate the clash last Jan. 22 which resulted in the deaths of PFC Mark Barat and Cpl. Orland James Diamel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and leaving several others injured.
In a statement on Friday, Hataman stressed that there shouldn't be an encounter between government forces and MILF members during peacetime.
Hataman also noted a similar encounter between the two forces last November 2022 in Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan, which led to the deaths of five MILF fighters and three government troops.
These incidents, Hataman noted, not only claim lives but also destabilize communities that have worked hard from decades of conflict.
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"This heinous act not only inflicted harm upon individuals and their families but also disrupted the peace and security of the affected community," Hataman's resolution read.
Hataman, a former governor of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) was meant to prevent clashes by ensuring clear security mechanisms and coordination between the government and the MILF.
But the recent clash raises questions about the effectiveness of the mechanisms underscored under the CAB.
"The CAB outlines key principles and commitments to advance security, stability, and inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro region, highlighting the importance of addressing root causes of conflict and enhancing mechanisms for sustainable peace," the resolution said.
Hataman stressed the urgency of assessing whether the security provisions of the CAB are being implemented and whether the gaps in coordination are allowing clashes to erupt.
He also said that the probe will focus on reviewing the peace process, evaluating existing security protocols, and determining what needs to be done to prevent similar incidents in the future.
"We must ensure that all parties adhere to the principles of peace, justice, and human rights as enshrined in the Constitution," Hataman said.
