Govt to maintain Basilan troop levels

A TOP Philippine Army official said on Tuesday, June 10, that the government forces will remain intact in the former haven of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan to catalyze economic development after it was declared free of bandits' influence and control.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said they are not planning to reduce the number of troops deployed in the island province purposely to sustain peace.

"No, it will remain because we still have this role, to be able to sustain the peace, which is very important, sustaining the peace and making sure development will flow in that area. So confidence building is now in the works," explained Galido during a media briefing at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The island province of Basilan was declared ASG-free after the bandit group suffered crippling blows from the AFP's relentless campaign. Though the ASG are still at large, their operations dropped after the demise of their prominent leaders.

In 2017, the Islamic State affiliate ASG launched wide-scale terrorist attacks in Marawi City but failed to seize power after it suffered a tremendous blow in the face of the AFP's counteroffensive that resulted in the death of thousands of its operatives, including ASG's top leader Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, alias Salahuddin.

Presently, Galido said the troops in Basilan were composed of six army battalions, equivalent to a brigade size, conducting peace operations compared to a minimal ASG.

Galido, however, refused to divulge where the areas ASG operates, except that ASG's presence "is now very minimal."

Aside from Basilan, the province of Sulu was similarly declared free of ASG sometime last year, with the bandit support decreasing enormously and open to development. Galido also cited the important role the media played in "informing the public that indeed this place, Basilan, is peaceful."