By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The province of Basilan was officially declared free from the influence and presence of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) Monday, marking a major milestone for the island-province that was once considered the stronghold of the terrorist organization.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. led the momentous event in Lamitan City, which was the culmination of decades of strategic military operations, multi-stakeholder cooperation, and sustained peacebuilding interventions.
Stakeholders who attended the event lauded the national government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program and Localized Normalization Implementation program for being crucial components of Basilan’s amazing turnaround.
Lagdameo and Galvez witnessed the turnover of 329 assorted loose firearms to Basilan local government units and the military through the SALW Program, which is being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
Galvez, who once led the Western Mindanao Command before he became the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, described the occasion as “a turning point for the province—from a place once tainted by bloodshed to one filled with peace.”
“Conflict was at an all-time high and Basilan was bleeding. Yet amid the hardship, I saw the profound willingness of the people to put an end to the violence,” he said, recalling the time he also served as brigade commander in Basilan in 2012.
He noted that Basilan has become a shining example of what can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, emphasizing that putting an end to the cycle of violence cannot be achieved by military might alone, but by “a people saying no to violence.”
Lagdameo said “this declaration [was] not made lightly” but is “built upon years of sustained operations, tireless intelligence work, and collaboration between the national government, local leaders, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and most importantly, the communities who refused to surrender.”
He also paid tribute to soldiers, government workers, and innocent civilians, saying that all their sacrifices “will never be forgotten.”
“To our local leaders and the people of Basilan, this declaration is your victory,” Lagdameo said. “You chose peace. You opened doors for reintegration, for healing and for rebuilding lives. [You have shown] that terrorism cannot thrive when communities are strong, vigilant, and empowered.”
He lauded Basilan as a shining example of the Whole-of-Government approach, wherein national and local stakeholders worked hand in hand to bring sustainable development and long-lasting peace.
The official declaration of Basilan as ASG-free is anchored on the joint resolution issued by the Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council on Feb. 6, 2025.
“Through the unified efforts of the Provincial Government of Basilan, the AFP, the Philippine National Police, Local Government Units, and other peace and development stakeholders, significant strides have been made in dismantling the operational capacity and presence of the ASG in the province…The declaration of Basilan as ASG-Free is a critical milestone that signifies the triumph of good governance, peace-building, and inclusive development over terror and conflict,” the resolution read.
