Basilan Governor Jim Salliman-Hataman has described the recent armed clash between government troops and elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Sumisip as a reminder of the province’s tumultuous past. The encounter, which occurred Wednesday afternoon, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to 12 others.
In an interview this morning, Salliman characterized the incident as an isolated case, emphasizing that such events have become rare in Basilan. “It was an isolated incident and not an everyday occurrence. Naninibago lang tayo kasi matagal nang walang ganyan. The last of similar incident was more than a year ago,” he said.
The governor underscored the need for collective action to address lingering vulnerabilities, calling the incident a wakeup call for all stakeholders, including the MILF, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), the national and regional governments, and local government units.
“But this is not a reason to stop the initiatives on the ground. Even more, development programs should be pursued aggressively,” Salliman pointed out. “We must learn to accept [it] and find out what more can be done to once and for all resolve the issue,” he added.
The governor’s statement highlights the importance of sustaining peace and development efforts in Basilan. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about the ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering stability and progress in the province.