4 officers face court-martial for Al Barka clash

MANILA, Philippines - Army investigators have recommended the convening of a court-martial to try four officers alleged to be behind the clash in Al Barka, Basilan that left 19 soldiers dead last year.   

Military sources said the panel that would conduct the court martial is being formed. Another source said the court martial will convene next month.

Senior military officers said Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa has approved the recommendation of the Army probers.

The pre-trial investigation was completed last January. However, the results of the probe have yet to be released.

At least 19 soldiers were killed and 14 others were wounded when Army troops clashed with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Sitio Baisung, Barangay Cambug in Al Barka last Oct. 18. 

The encounter occured despite the ongoing peace talks and ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government.

Soldiers who figured in the clash were supposed to serve a warrant of arrest on MILF commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi – who was tagged in the killing of 14 Marines in Basilan in 2007 – Long Malat and Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama.

The MILF has blamed the military for the clash, saying the soldiers attacked them.

Those who underwent the pre-trial were Col. Aminkadra Undog, former commander of the Army’s Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); Col. Orlando Edralin, former commander of the Special Forces Regiment’s Training School;  Col. Alexander Macario, former chief of the Special Operations Task Force-Basilan; and Lt. Col. Leo Pena, former chief of the 4th Special Operations Battalion.