MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have deployed joint peace mechanisms to de-escalate tensions arising from a localised conflict (rido) in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), the Government Peace Implementing Panel said Sunday.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), and Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) have been coordinating with local government units and MILF commanders since Sept. 16 to prevent the conflict from escalating and restore calm in affected communities.
The panel said tensions have since eased.
Government Peace Implementing Panel Chair and Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said the joint ceasefire mechanisms remain in place and are assisting local authorities in de-escalating the "rido.”
"I want to assure the public, and most especially our brothers and sisters in the SGA, that the joint ceasefire mechanisms between the government and the MILF remain firmly in place,” Sarmiento said in a statement.
"Our joint peace mechanisms work tirelessly to ensure this, while actively assisting LGUs (local government units) and local authorities in de-escalating ‘rido’ to reduce tension and keep our communities safe.”
Sarmiento called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and allow the peace mechanisms to do their work.
The CCCH intervened following armed encounters on Sept. 16 in Barangay Olandang and Kadingilan in Nabalawag, where the rido heightened tensions among nearby communities.
The CCCH coordinated with the parties and local authorities, while JPSTs and government security forces established safety measures for civilians and assisted internally displaced persons.
Another incident happened in Barangay Balong, Tugunan on Saturday, separate from the Nabalawag rido. It stemmed from a law enforcement operation to serve a warrant of arrest.
The panel said coordination protocols prevented the operation from escalating into an unintended confrontation between government troops and MILF forces, which repositioned away from the area to avoid accidental contact with government troops.
By around 4 pm on the same day, government units had returned to their headquarters following the completion of crime-scene processing by the Philippine National Police.
The CCCH and AHJAG continue to coordinate with authorities to prevent miscommunication or accidental encounters and protect civilians.
The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao happened on Sept 14, with isolated cases of violence reported.
-- BERNAMA-PNA
