The government peace panel expressed sadness over the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao Sunday which claimed the lives of 50 Philippine National Police Special Action Force.
GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a statement Monday that they aim to normalize the situation in the area.
“Our aim is to normalize the situation as soon as possible in order to prevent the displacement of civilians and give full swing to the humanitarian effort,” Ferrer said.
Members of the International Monitoring Team, the Government’s and the MILF’s ceasefire committees, the 6th Infantry Division of the armed forces and the regional police are working closely to retrieve the casualties now reaching 50. Six of whom were reportedly officials.
Ferrer said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) salutes the policemen killed in the encounter.
“We say to our fallen policemen: for your selfless courage, for your steadfastness in answering the call of duty, for your sacrifices in the name of peace, we salute and honor you. To their families and loved ones, we convey our deepest condolences,” Ferrer said.
