By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

MANILA – The United Nations in the Philippines “strongly condemned” on Thursday the deadly ambush that killed two soldiers and wounded 12 others in Sumisip town, Basilan province on Jan. 22.
Despite the incident, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said the UN team will stay and continue delivering peace and development programs in the Bangsamoro region.
“I would like to express the United Nations’ sympathies with those who were affected and their families,” he said.
“In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the UN supports peacebuilding efforts of national, regional and local authorities. We have made significant progress. We will stay and deliver in BARMM,” he added.
The incident occurred as the troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were on their way to escort a UN Development Programme (UNDP) team for a community engagement in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng in Sumisip.
Gonzalez said no UN personnel were in the immediate vicinity of the incident at that time.
Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the lawless elements also torched one KM450 military vehicle, causing further material losses.
Two lawless elements were reported killed in the clash, which he said was supported by some peace spoiler members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Gonzalez said this was the first incident involving a UN team since the implementation of the peace process.
The UN, he noted, carries out security risk assessments before undertaking missions in the Philippines. (PNA)