New ceasefire chief to address gov't's alleged truce violations

ISABELA CITY, Basilan - The newly installed chief of the government panel for the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) vowed to intensify coordination with his counterpart in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to address accusations of truce violations.

Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, outgoing commander of the 104th Army Brigade and new chairman of CCCH government panel, raised the concern following the allegations of the MILF that the military had violated the ceasefire for allegedly deploying government forces without proper coordination.

The MILF, in a statement posted over its website luwaran.com, charged the military of “uncoordinated massive movements” of troops in areas they claimed to be close to its forces in the towns of Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi in Maguindanao last Saturday. 

According to the MILF, its commanders reported that hundreds of soldiers in full battle gear backed by tanks were monitored in the barangays of Kitango, Tatapan, Kitapok, Maitem and Pagatin.

The MILF said that aside from violating the truce, it also caused apprehension that it could trigger untoward incidents.

Galvez said efforts are being readied to increase military coordination with the MILF counterpart to dispel allegations of any ceasefire violation. He said the troops' movement were not meant to cause undue alarm.

“We have planned to increase the coordination with the MILF. Kasi kapag strong ang coordination and confidence building between commanders on the ground they will dispel any irritants,” Galvez said.

Galvez also affirmed that the military have long supported the government's peace endeavor and would not venture to any action that will trigger violations to the truce.