CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines – Officers and enlisted personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6th ID) based here have solemnly vowed to uphold the rule of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in combat operations that may unlikely arise amid their current paradigm shift for peace building efforts.

Simultaneous pledging ceremonies were held early this week at the 6th ID headquarters here and in its two brigades and nine battalions across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Region 12, according to Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, division commander, who mandated the activities.

Ardo ordered the conduct of the simultaneous oath-taking ceremonies in conjunction with the observance of the IHL day – a moment institutionalized by human rights and peace advocates organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

On the same day, incidentally, reports said that at least 54 families fled their homes promptly after partisan villagers in Datu Piang, Maguindanao clashed anew before dawn Sunday over an alleged land dispute that has dragged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its splinter group – the Bangasamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – to a pocket of armed collision.

Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, a former assistant 6th ID commander and now head of the government peace panel’s committee on cessation of hostilities, said the recurring conflict between MILF commander Abonawas and BIFF-affiliated village leader Adzmi require cohesive pacification efforts to prevent it from escalating and affecting the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF peace talks.

As this developed, ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo, assisted by Gen. Bernardo and retired Brig. Gen. Loreto Rirao, regional civil defense director, and civilian relief officials, went poised to respond Wednesday to Datu Piang town where three villages – Alonganin, Leong, and Dalanakan – have been affected by the rift between the camps of Abonawas and Adzmi.

Meanwhile, 6th ID spokesman Col. Prudencio Asgto said their combat troops were securing other villages from being affected by the intra-rebel factions rift amid reports that BIFF chieftain Amilil Umbra Kato, a resigned MILF commander, and an MILF field group were likely to back up their respective warring field forces.

Asto said the military contingents have been under stern directive to go on defensive stance in deference to the government’s current peace talks with the MILF.

“They will remain in their camps on defensive position,” he pointed out.

According to field junior Army officers, they would be forced to respond if fired at first.

But in such unlikely scenario, they assured to abide by the mandate of the IHL that prescribes for respect in non-combatants and the preservation of the human rights of villagers, including rebels.