Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: WESTMINCOM: Warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front Commanders in Basilan Concede to Peace

Friday, January 19, 2024

WESTMINCOM: Warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front Commanders in Basilan Concede to Peace

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jan 17, 2024): Warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front Commanders in Basilan Concede to Peace

101st Infantry "Three Red Arrows" Brigade

𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧 – On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the long-standing feud internally within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has finally come to an end through a formal program of peaceful settlement and the signing of a peace covenant with a pledge of sincerity and commitment on the Holy Qur’an ‘Magsapa’ held at Barangay Buton, HMA, Basilan Province.

The event formally resolved the conflict between Commander Geon Arasad, the Deputy Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 114th Base Command, and Commander Tanad Nasalon, the Battalion Commander of the same Battalion, which have already claimed numerous lives. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal strife started in May of 2020 and, if not settled, is seen to hinder the ongoing peace process, particularly the decommissioning of firearms as one of the efforts to fully attain the long-sought peace in the Island province of Basilan.

The conflict resolution was graced by Honorable Hadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman, Governor of Basilan Province; Mr. Ariel “Ayi” C. Hernandez, Co-Chair of GPH-JNC and represented Secretary Carlito G Galvez Jr of OPAPRU; Major General Ignatius N. Patrimonio PA, Commander of JTF ORION; and Brigadier General Alvin V. Luzon PA of the 101st Infantry Brigade.

Mr. Ayi Hernandez underscored the importance of peace and understanding in the implementation of the normalization program with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “With this very positive development, we in the normalization committee are confident of the smooth and successful continuation of the peace process, particularly with the ‘decommissioning,” he said.

Major General N. Patrimonio, for his part, congratulated the warring groups for finally embracing peace. “The period of conflicts and violence in your communities is over. You may now concentrate on improving the plight of your families, looking to the future. Congratulations,” he gladly declared.

Hon. Jim S. Hataman-Salliman extended his appreciation to the ‘men-in-uniform’ for its continuous efforts of brokering peace and resolving conflicts. He also congratulated the warring parties for their decision to end the long-standing conflict.

As a gesture of sincerity and goodwill, the warring parties surrendered ten (10) high-powered firearms composed of eight (M16 rifles and two (2) M653 rifles.

The ‘rido’ settlement was made possible through the initiatives and collaborative efforts of the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade through the 4th Special Forces Battalion led by Col Bernard Samin PA, Moro Islamic Liberation Front-CCCH Basilan Hadji Samad Ahaddin and LGU Hadji Muhammad Ajul led by Honorable Talib G. Pawaki.