ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities declared Isabela City in Basilan province Abu Sayyaf Group-free during a simple ceremony at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center in Binuangan, Isabela City on Monday, September 30.
ISABELA City hall (Wikipedia)
Isabela City was the latest area in Basilan to be declared free from the terrorist group after Al-Barka, Maluso, Lantawan, and Ungkaya-Pukan.
The declaration was part of a campaign initiated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to free Basilan from ASG influence.
Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman asked residents and visitors to give importance and deep meaning to the occasion.
“It’s freedom from the fears of the past by moving forward from the violence that once held us back,” the lady mayor said.
House Deputy Minority Leader Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman thanked the Nagdilaab Foundation, the Ulama Supreme Council, military, and police for making Isabela City ASG-free.
Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said that the declaration has a major impact on the security situation amid the peace and stability that the city have been enjoying for some time.
"This move reinforces the continuous development and progress not just for the city but also for the entire province of Basilan," said Luzon.
Present during the ceremony were Joint Task Force Orion chief Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña; Luzon, Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Police Regional Office-9 director, Mayor Hataman, Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Isabela City Vice Mayor Jhul Kifli Saliman, and other officials of Isabela City.