Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) — The government has clarified that the nearly 40 soldiers earlier reported to have been “held” by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Sur for a day were merely given by the latter “a safe space to spend the night” and have returned home safely.
The Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) released the statement on Thursday after authorities earlier said 38 soldiers were held by MILF members in Maguing town on Tuesday afternoon.
The government’s implementing peace panel explained that the situation was “a simple case of miscommunication” after the soldiers strayed close to the MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces’ (MILF-BIAF) base camp in Maguing.
It said the military consisted of officers and enlisted personnel of the Army Special Forces under the 4th Infantry Division who were conducting an operation against communist group New People’s Army (NPA) at the time.
“To ensure the safety of the Armed Forces of the Philippines troops, the MILF-BIAF provided the troopers a safe space to spend the night on Feb. 7 and to effect the established procedures with the joint ceasefire mechanisms,” the CCCH said.
Speaking to reporters, the Philippine Army’s 403rd Brigade commander Colonel Michele Anayron Jr. also stressed that the soldiers did not stay there against their will.
He further clarified that the troops were not disarmed by the MILF, and they instead “willingly” turned over their firearms as respect for the rules inside the Moro group’s camp.
On why it took a while for the soldiers to leave the area, Anayron explained that they had to wait first for representatives of the government and of the MILF in the CCCH to meet over the matter.
“Sinunod lang ‘yung protocol [The protocol was just followed] actually,” he said. “There was no kumbaga [actual] tension or anything. Very diplomatic.”
Authorities said the soldiers returned home on Wednesday afternoon after the situation was “resolved” by both parties.
“This is another testament of the parties’ high regard to the peace process and their tolerance that prevented possible untoward incident to happen despite the problem in communication due to poor signal in the area,” read the CCCH statement.
“The deep understanding of the peace process and ceasefire guidelines was instrumental for its swift resolution,” it added.
