At least elite cops from the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) were killed in action during a clash on Sunday with Muslim rebels in the southern part of the country amid an ongoing ceasefire.
Members of the SAF was reported to have entered an area in Mamasapano, which is under the control of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), around three in the morning without communicating with the latter group. Coordination between the two groups in such cases are required under the agreement on ceasefire, Channel News Asia reported.
The PNP were trying to capture two high-value targets in the area: Jemaah Islamiyah bomb-assembly expert Basit Usman and Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as "Marwan," a bomb maker from Malaysia, according to ABS-CBN News. Marwan is also on the FBI's most wanted list.
"Marwan is a teacher, assembler and propagator of bombing techniques," Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas told local news program TV Patrol.
Initial reports have mentioned that there were four dead MILF members during the encounter.
Reporters have captured photos of a PNP truck convoy that is said to be carrying the deceased SAF's members from the Maguindanao area to the Army 6th Infantry Division camp. The death toll figure might still increase as cleanup operations are still ongoing.
The clash with the Muslim rebel group may have threatened the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will give Muslims autonomy in several provinces in the country's south.
However, both parties have agreed that they will not delay the BBL and the ceasefire will still be in effect.
Secretary Roxas has ordered an investigation on why the death toll for the SAF members were high, but the MILF believes there is no need.
"To blame one another is unproductive," a chief officer from MILF told TV Patrol.