Two government soldiers were killed while 12 others were injured in an armed encounter in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

The military said the troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion were providing security to representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who were engaging with the community for a development project when they heard gunshots.

“Yung tropa ng 32IB were there to provide security while yung tropa natin is moving by vehicles, meron silang narinig that shots were fired. Not necessarily na na-ambush sila, may narinig sila then yung normal reaction ng tropa natin is i-check kung ano yung pinanggalingan ng putok na yon kasi nga we are also in strict implementation ng gun ban dito sa area,” 101st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, said.

When the soldiers rushed toward the source of the gunfire, they found out that it was the group allegedly involved in family feuds (rido).

An exchange of fire ensued.

“Nung mapuntahan ng tropa natin there to check and investigate, nakita nila doon, a chance upon, yung mga lawless element, we consider them lawless kasi itong mga ‘to matagal na ring hinahabol ng tropa na palaging nagrirido sila doon. Meron silang family feuds doon sa adjacent barangay, and doon na nagkaroon ng encounter,” Luzon added.

During the incident, some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) allegedly helped the armed group and engaged the military in a firefight.

The armed encounter resulted in the death of two soldiers and two members of the armed group. Twelve other soldiers were wounded.

The armed group, including some members of the MILF, also allegedly set a military truck on fire after the encounter.

“Clearly, yung mga nag-post na yan, mga MILF nga kaya nga sabi ko magpa-file kami ng protest kasi while we are considering palaging peace process, palaging primacy of the peace process. Magpa-file kami ng protest bakit ginawa nila to,” Luzon said.

Officials of the 101st Infantry Brigade are working closely with the MILF leadership, local government units, and other stakeholders in the conduct of an investigation to ensure that peace is maintained and justice is served.

“Ito nga yung ini-investigate namin ngayon and in fact, tinatanong na namin yung MILF bakit may mga members kaming na-identify na members ng MILF na nag-join na doon sa encounter. We should made them answerable din dito kasi dapat nga tinulungan nila kami, tinulungan nila ang tropa,” Luzon said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Basilan also condemned the deadly encounter.

Governor Jim Salliman said there is no cause for alarm as authorities are in full control of the situation.

“We call upon the MILF leadership in Basilan and the security forces to find a common ground that would resolve the issue and prevent a repeat of the incident in the future,” Salliman said in a statement.