TIPO-TIPO, Basilan -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) never violated the ceasefire agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when it engaged the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and members of the MILF lost command on August 12 where 23 soldiers and 31 bandits were killed, said local officials here.

The local officials came to the defense of the military, even as they volunteered to help the AFP in weeding out the ASG and other lawless elements in Basilan by gathering and giving information to the Philippine Marines in the area.

During a dialogue with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Tipo-Tipo Mayor Ingatun Istarul dispelled claims by MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu that it was the military which initiated the firefight with the MILF lost command that left 23 government troops dead and 22 others wounded.

Ingatun said the AFP never violated the ceasefire agreement with the MILF and it was the MILF lost command that initiated the encounter.

The local officials also emphasized the AFP made the necessary coordination, including a dialogue with local officials, which was the reason why there was no civilian casualty in the clash. "Napaalis ang mga civilians kaya walang nadamay," they said.

The local officials also said they are grateful for the presence of the military in their area, particularly in Tipo-tipo.

Meanwhile, Teodoro on Thursday led a humanitarian mission in this southern town and vowed full government action to rebuild the area through continuing peace and development programs.

Days after the military overran the stronghold of the terrorist Abu Sayaff Group in the areas around Tipotipo, Teodoro headed a feeding program for children and a medical outreach program for the sick even as the Armed Forces kept its hot pursuit of the ASG.

During his visit, Teodoro appealed for full civilian cooperation in a 90-minute dialogue with local officials to help the government crush the terrorist group and enforce the rule of law in this province.

“There are two important things the government must do after capturing the stronghold of the Abu Sayaff in the areas around Tipotipo,” Teodoro said. “It must enforce the rule of law in Basilan, and the government must now rebuild this area by giving priority to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

He also announced the start of construction of the circumferential road, considered a vital artery that will pass through the towns of Sumisip, Tipo-Tipo, Maluso, Lamitan and Lantawan. The circumferential road is a key development project of the government in the poverty-stricken island.

Local officials led by Governor Jum Akbar assured Teodoro they would work to gather information to help weed out the ASG and lawless elements in the area.

Akbar thanked the Defense secretary and said the humanitarian mission showed the government’s sincerity in its efforts to put an end to the fighting and pursue much-needed peace and development in the province.

Akbar led the delegation of local officials that included Istarul, Vice-Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakkalahu, and Ungkaya Pukan Mayor Joel Maturan.