Manila: An encounter in bandit-infested Al Barka town in Basilan on Monday killed an army major and five others as the military said that the incident would not deter government forces from engaging in development activities in the area.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office Chief, Major Ramon P Zagala, in a report to the military headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon City, said a group of suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen ambushed a convoy from the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade around 2pm Monday.

“The ambush resulted in the death of Major Alin Kannung, Executive Officer of the 32nd Infantry Battalion and one Technical Sergeant while four others were wounded. Major Kannung along with his soldiers entered the area to conduct peace and development activities, distributing goats and other livestock as livelihood assistance to the people of Kambug and Buhi Piang, Albarka and other areas in Basilan,” Zagala said.

Four Abu Sayyaf gunmen were reportedly killed in the clash which took place when Abu Sayyaf gunmen based in Al Barka led by Commanders Basher and Musana Jamiriat ambushed a government convoy.

Zagala said the incident would not prevent government forces from engaging in peace and development efforts in areas affected by conflict, particularly in the far-flung communities in the South.

“The AFP takes the recent clash in Basilan as a challenge, instead of a hindrance,” Zagala said adding that “the only way to remove violence in areas like Basilan, is the soldiers’ presence, and its continuous peace and development activities.”

AFP Spokesman, Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan Jr for his part, said that Kannung is a great loss to the AFP.

A former member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who had been integrated in the Philippine Army as part of a 1996 Peace Agreement, Kannung was deeply involved in the government’s peace and development projects together with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

“He is part of the team conducting road projects in the area when the incident happened yesterday.”

MILF-MNLF clash

The encounter in Basilan took place while clashes were taking place between members of the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Matalam North Cotabato.

Reports said a clash between members of the MNLF under Commander Datu Dima Ambil and members of the MILF’s 108th Base Command under Commander Masur Imbong left one person dead and another wounded last Sunday as the fighting displaced an estimated 200 families.

“The AFP is undertaking efforts to de-escalate the conflict to prevent a spill over of violence to other communities in the area,” Tutaan said.

Tutaan said that the AFP’s main concern is to “ensure the safety and welfare of affected civilians”.