2 alleged MILF members in Ungkaya Pukan ambush surrendered —military

Two alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) supposedly involved in the August 12 ambush in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan have surrendered, the military said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Joint Task Force (JTF) Basilan identified them as Adzmin H. Manjapal, 20, and Mudzni B. Sapau, 27.

“The two were primarily responsible perpetrators behind the recent ambush against the troops of 64th Infantry Battalion with the members of Joint Peace Security Team (JPST) and Hon. Ahmadin Barahim, Vice Mayor of Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan on August 12, 2023,” the JTF Basilan said.

According to the JTF Basilan, they sustained pressure on the MILF’s 114th Base Command, particularly the group of Huram Malangka, which led to the surrender of Manjapal and Sapau on Tuesday.

Officials from MILF’s Northwestern Mindanao Front, Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), and the 114th Base Command facilitated the surrender, according to the military.

The JTF Basilan are working on the charges to be filed against the two.

"While the surrender of the two alleged MILF members as facilitated by members of MILFCCCH manifested that the peace mechanisms are indeed working, we will still pursue the investigation of the case for justice to take its due course,” JTF Basilan commander Brigadier General Alvin Luzon said.

On Wednesday, Manjapal and Sapau were turned over to the Basilan Provincial Police Office.

Ungkaya Pukan Vice Mayor Ahmadin Baharim and military escorts were ambushed in Basilan on August 12. Around 10 unidentified assailants opened fire prompting the security forces to retaliate which resulted in a five-minute firefight.

One of the soldiers was killed, and seven others were injured, including one police officer.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News