Insurgency: Basilan Is Declared Abu Sayyaf-Free

 The province of Basilan has now officially been declared Abu-Sayyaf free. It's been a long time coming. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2068987/basilan-is-declared-abu-sayyaf-free

The island province of Basilan is now officially free from the threat and presence of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a notorious terror organization engaged in banditry and kidnap-for-ransom activities.

Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. led the declaration at the Basilan Government Center (BGC) here on Monday, along with local and military officials.

Lagdameo said the declaration “was not made lightly but was built from years of sustained operations, intelligence works and collaboration with different sectors and agencies and of the communities who refused to surrender to terror.”

He said many individuals have sacrificed for Basilan’s freedom, referring to the “fallen soldiers, law enforcement officers and innocent civilians,” who offered their lives in the face of terror.

“Their sacrifice shall never be forgotten,” he said.

He lauded the people of Basilan for choosing peace, saying, “You opened doors for reintegration, for healing and for rebuilding lives,” he said. “You reminded the nation that terrorism cannot thrive where communities are strong, vigilant and empowered.”

Basilan Gov. Hadjiman Hataman Salliman said that since his first term in 2016, many lives, “efforts and resources were sacrificed” to remove the presence of ASG, which started as an Islamic fundamentalist group but later became known for banditry that had used the province as its base.

He said he placed on top of his priority both in the municipal and provincial level programs on how to repair the damages done by the ASG.

He also admitted that in 2014, Basilan was the capital of the Islamic State for Israel and Syria (ISIS) in Southeast Asia, and was known then for ASG kidnappings and “bombs which exploded in planes, bus, trains may have come from Basilan.”

Among its atrocities included the mass kidnapping in March 2020 of 52 students and teachers from the Tumahubong Elementary School and Claret School in Sumisip town. Among the victims, Catholic priest Fr. Rhoel Gallardo and three teachers, were found dead in May 2000.

The group, which also operates in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces, was also responsible for the abduction of foreigners, including the kidnapping of guests of Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in May 2001 that resulted to the death of several of the victims, including American missionary Martin Burnham.Salliman said the declaration of Basilan as ASG-free showed what Basilan is now compared to the past.

“That manifests in different forms of development,” he added.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Papru) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced that they would be giving recognition to Salliman on his peace efforts in the province of Basilan through the Gawad Kapayapaan ( GaKap) Award.

Papru’s GaKap celebrates and honors the invaluable and impactful contributions of “peace exemplars” or organizations towards the promotion and attainment of just and lasting peace in the country.

A total of 329 high-powered firearms earlier surrendered to the military by reformed Abu Sayyaf members were destroyed during the ceremony before the unveiling of a peace marker.

So, what happens now? Nothing. The troops will remain to make sure Abu Sayyaf does regain a foothold. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251850

The Philippine Army (PA) will not reduce the number of personnel deployed to Basilan province despite being declared as free from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), its chief said Tuesday.

 As of this time, Galido said there are an estimated six PA battalions in Basilan.

He added that the ASG's presence on the island is now very "minimal".

"Your role is very important in informing the public that indeed this place, Basilan, is peaceful," the PA chief stressed.

On Monday, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. officially declared Basilan as ASG-free, the culmination of decades of strategic military operations, multi-stakeholder cooperation, and sustained peacebuilding interventions.

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.

Wow! Abu Sayyaf's presence is only minimal? That means Basilan is not Abu Sayyaf-free. There are still remnants. No doubt they are wild and can hit back hard if they choose to do so. 

Iloilo province has been lauded for dismantling CPP-NPA fronts. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/iloilo-province-lauded-for-key-role-in-dismantling-cpp-npa-fronts

ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. received a Plaque of Recognition Monday, June 9, 2025, for the Iloilo Provincial Government’s critical role in dismantling the Central Front, Regional Committee–Panay of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

The plaque was awarded by Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta, commanding officer of the 12th Infantry (Lick ’Em) Battalion of the Philippine Army, based in Calinog, Iloilo.

The Iloilo Provincial Government has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to ending local communist armed conflict through strong support for peace and development, as stated in the ceremonial awarding, citing National Joint Peace and Security Coordination Center Resolution 15. Series of 2024, dated December 31, 2024.

The success of these military operations was strongly supported by the province’s Localized Peace Engagements (LPE) program, a core strategy of Iloilo's anti-insurgency campaign.

Under the LPE program, former rebels who voluntarily return to the fold of the law are provided with consistent and holistic reintegration support. These include social services, livelihood training, and community-based development programs aimed at empowering returnees to rebuild their lives and serve as models for others still in the armed struggle.

The National Government, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), further backed the reintegration through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip). The program offers P15,000 in immediate assistance, P50,000 in livelihood aid, and P21,000 in reintegration support to qualified former rebels. 

Joining the event were Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and newly appointed commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and former Calinog Mayor Alex Centena.

That is good but is Iloilo Province NPA-free or are there remnants left? If so how many? Why are they giving out awards when the fight is still ongoing? 

Despite the AFP saying the NPA is leaderless, leaders continue to be captured.  One leader was captured in Surigao Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251928

The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) announced on Wednesday the arrest of a former high-ranking New People’s Army (NPA) commander who had eluded capture for years and is facing multiple criminal charges in court.

In a report, SDNPPO Director Col. Warren Dablo identified the suspect as Pio Gato Jr., also known as alias Jama, 41.

Gato is described as the former commanding officer of NPA Guerrilla Front 16-A, operating under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Gato was apprehended on Monday during a manhunt operation carried out by the 1st Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st SDN PMFC) in Barangay Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Dablo said the suspect has outstanding arrest warrants for serious offenses, including murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder. These warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; RTC Branch 30 in Surigao City; and the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Jabonga-Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

“The subject NPA commander was responsible for the attack on Alegria Municipal Police Station on July 10, 2014, during which 17 light weapons and several small arms were taken, and two police personnel were seriously wounded,” Dablo said.

Following that attack, Gato’s group also abducted four police personnel in Barangay Pungtod in Alegria.

Additionally, Gato allegedly participated in the attack on Taganito Mining Corporation on Oct. 3, 2011, which resulted in PHP580 million in damages to the firm.

“He was also identified as the NPA leader who ambushed Army troops in Sison, Surigao del Norte, sometime in 2013, and burned a truck loaded with copra in Barangay San Juan, Alegria town,” Dablo added.

The suspect is now under the custody of the 1st SDN PMFC for proper disposition and the continuation of legal proceedings.

Another NPA leader was nabbed in Cagayan de Oro.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/948713/alleged-npa-top-leader-nabbed-in-cdo/story/

Government forces arrested an alleged high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The military identified the suspect as Edward Flores, also known by his aliases Cess, Ruby, Rafa, and Ramon.

According to reports, the suspect allegedly served as secretary general of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR), which operates under the jurisdiction of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID).

“Once a powerful figure, Flores' group has significantly weakened due to sustain decisive military operations that dismantled vertical platoon and neutralization of majority of its leaders and remaining members,” 6ID said.

The military added that the suspect also allegedly held positions previously such as Regional Urban Committee secretary, secretary of the dismantled Guerilla Front Tala, and spokesperson of the FSMR.

“The arrest of Edward Flores marks another critical blow to the already crumbling structure of the communist insurgency within the area of responsibility of the 603rd Brigade. In fact, we have already filed multiple cases against him for acts of terrorism and for recruiting vulnerable youth into armed rebellion. His capture is a major setback to their ranks and operations,” 603rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Michael Santos, said.

Among the charges faced by the suspect include murder filed in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; multiple attempted homicide filed in Surallah, South Cotabato; murder filed in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

During the operation, authorities confiscated a Colt .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and a smartphone from the suspect.

"We will remain determined in our efforts to significantly reduce the capabilities of these terrorist criminals to harass innocent civilians. As the CTG continues to lose key leaders and more members, we will continue our pursuit until they are defeated. With the support of our civilian population and partner stakeholders under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), we will not rest until this decades-long problem is resolved," 6ID Commander, Major General Ronald Gumiran, said.

They say it's "another critical blow" but as we have seen the NPA continues to fight. 

As of May 30th the National Amnesty Commission has receive 2,882 applications. Now the NAC is issuing safe conduct passes for amnesty applicants. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2070249/amnesty-seekers-get-safe-passes-from-govt

In a historic event for the peace process in the country, the national government began issuing safe conduct passes (SCPs) to former rebels who are seeking amnesty for their political offenses.

During a ceremony here on Wednesday, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) handed SCPs to the first batch of amnesty seekers from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

NAC Chair Leah Tanodra-Armamento said she was hopeful the recent issuance of SCPs will encourage more former rebels to apply for amnesty, knowing that they will be safe from possible arrest due to criminal charges lodged against them in the course of their previous fight against the government on account of their political beliefs.

Through Memorandum Order No. 36, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month authorized the NAC to issue the SCPs to amnesty seekers.

The SCP, according to the NAC, “is a tool that will allow amnesty applicants to access the amnesty program without the fear of being arrested, ensuring their safety and security while they await the results of their applications.”

The NAC had expected the number of amnesty applications to at least double due to the availability of this tool.

As of May 30, the NAC had received, through its 20 Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) around the country, 2,882 applications: 1,957 from members of the CPP-NPA, 546 from the MILF, 312 from the MNLF, and 67 from the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPMP-RPA).

This is just an admission that these people are criminals who deserve to be put into prison. Amnesty may be a tool to end the conflict peaceably but it's not justice.