Basilan province has been officially declared free from the presence and threat of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), according to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
“It’s a great honor to be with all of you today as we declare the province of Basilan free from Abu Sayyaf,” Galvez said during a ceremonial event held in Lamitan City on Monday.
Lagdameo emphasized that the declaration was the result of sustained collaboration between local and national government agencies in their shared pursuit of peace and security.
“As envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—not only for the Bangsamoro region but for the entire country—collaborative peace shall be the foundation of progress and development, as we are witnessing today,” Lagdameo said. “As we raise the flag of peace over Basilan, may it serve as a beacon for other regions still battling the shadows of violence.”
A symbolic demilitarization was held as part of the ceremony, featuring the public destruction of over 300 surrendered high-powered firearms, which were flattened by a steamroller. A peace marker was also unveiled to commemorate the milestone.
“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 Governor Jim Hataman Salliman.
Among those in attendance were Basilan Ulama Supreme Council President Aboulkhair Tarason, Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, Joint Task Force Orion Commander Lt. Gen. Leonardo Peña, Basilan PNP Provincial Director Col. Cerrazid Umabong, and Basilan Vice Governor Yusop Alano.
The formal declaration follows an earlier military announcement in December 2024, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines declared Basilan ASG-free after the surrender of the group’s last known members on December 26.
According to the 101st Infantry Brigade, the four members—known by their aliases “Jaber,” “Yajid,” “Juhah,” and “Dadih”—surrendered to Brigadier General Alvin Luzon in Barangay Guiong, Sumisip town. Four of their companions also turned themselves in.
