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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Provincial gov't declares Basilan ASG-free

Provincial gov't declares Basilan ASG-free

Published Jun 9, 2025 01:23 pm
The provincial government on Monday, June 9, formally declared Basilan free from the presence and threat of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
SPECIAL Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr and Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, lead the destruction of guns seized from the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan on Monday. (Contributed photo)
SPECIAL Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr and Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, lead the destruction of guns seized from the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan on Monday. (Contributed photo)
The official declaration ceremony was held at the Basilan Government Center in Santa Clara, Lamitan City, and was attended by national and local leaders, peace stakeholders, and security officials.
The provincial government described this as a major milestone in the peace and security landscape of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The declaration represents the resilience, unity, and courage of the people who have long aspired for sustainable peace and development in their province, it added.
The declaration follows years of intensified counterterrorism operations and inter-agency collaboration between the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, local government units, and civil society.
“May every leader who comes after us continue to guard this peace, and may our children never have to live the story we are finally closing,” said Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman in his address.
Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr., who represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., keynote speaker, emphasized that the declaration was the product of persistent efforts by both local and national agencies in pursuit of peace and stability.
“As envisioned by President Marcos not only for Bangsamoro region, but for the entire country, collaborative peace shall be the foundation of progress and development as what is shown today,” said Lagdameo, who stressed that “as we raise the flag of peace over Basilan, may it be a beacon for other regions still battling the shadows of violence.”
He thanked security forces, law enforcement agencies, local leaders, religious institutions, and most especially the people of Basilan for their role in achieving this historic breakthrough.
“May it inspire our continued march toward a just, inclusive, and lasting peace for the entire nation,” he added.
The ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a symbolic demilitarization process wherein surrendered high-powered firearms – 329 rifles, 800mm mortars, and .50 caliber sniper rifles – were publicly destroyed using a steamroller. This act served as a representation of the community’s collective rejection of violence.
A peace marker was unveiled afterwards, attended by representatives from various sectors involved in the peace process. The event concluded with solidarity messages from prominent stakeholders and leaders.
Among the dignitaries present were Basilan Ulama Supreme Council President Aboulkhair Tarason, Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, Lt. Gen. Leonardo Peña of Joint Task Force Orion, Basilan police director Police Col. Cerrazid Umabong, Basilan Vice Gov. Yusop Alano, and Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.

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Basilan Abu Sayyaf Group ASG SAP Anton Lagdameo
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