August 2, 2012, The Philippine Star, Gov't protests MILF rebels' involvement in Basilan clash, by Alexis Romero,

August 2, 2012, The Philippine Star, Gov't protests MILF rebels' involvement in Basilan clash, by Alexis Romero, Updated - 5:20 PM,

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday that the government has protested the alleged involvement of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members in the recent clash in Basilan between the Army and the Abu Sayyaf that left 10 soldiers dead.

Gazmin said one MILF commander was involved in the encounter despite the group’s ongoing peace talks with the government.

“We have filed a protest [before the ceasefire panels]. We have sent a letter of protest because of the involvement of one MILF commander,” Gazmin said in a press briefing.

Gazmin said MILF commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi had been informed about the operations against the Abu Sayyaf prior to the encounter.

Asnawi has been tagged in last year's bloody clash in Al-Barka also in Basilan, which left 19 soldiers dead.

Surprisingly, government troops have yet to arrest Asnawi even if there was some form of communication between him and the military.

"They (Asnawi and his troops) were told not to enter the area and he agreed,” Gazmin said.

"As these things are being coordinated, one MILF commander was already inside [the area of operations] and they got involved,” he added.

Gazmin said three of the armed men who died during the clash were relatives of Asnawi. He noted that some members of the MILF are relatives of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

"On the side of the enemy, the surname of three fatalities is Asnawi,” the defense chief said.

Ten soldiers were killed and 17 others were wounded in an intense gun battle with Abu Sayyaf terrorists last July 26 in Barangay Cabengbeng in Sumisip town. Nine Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed during the clash.

Asnawi was tagged in the killing of 14 Marines in Basilan in 2007.

Soldiers tried to arrest him and two lawless elements on October 18, 2011 in Al Barka, Basilan but they were ambushed by MILF fighters.

The encounter happened despite the ongoing peace talks and ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government.