BASILAN, Philippines — What began as a personal grudge has now spiraled into a full-blown armed confrontation in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan — displacing thousands, injuring civilians, and exposing once more the grim truth behind the island’s fragile peace: the persistent proliferation of loose firearms and the unchecked presence of armed groups operating under the guise of the peace process.
October 21, 2025 — The Killing That Sparked It All
The chain of events began on October 21, when Barangay Kagawad Nadzri “Bahang” Tarahin of Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo — also known as a respected Islamic teacher — was gunned down at a bus terminal in Lamitan City.
Authorities condemned the killing, describing Tarahin as a “pillar of peace and moral guidance” in the Muslim community. The Provincial Government of Basilan, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), vowed to conduct a full investigation to bring justice to his death.
October 26 — Retaliation and Rising Tension
The situation took a dangerous turn on Sunday night, October 26, when two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire at a police checkpoint in Tipo-Tipo Proper. Police retaliated, wounding one of the attackers, later identified as a relative of the slain kagawad.
The incident ignited anger among the victim’s family and sympathizers, including reported members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), setting off a chain of retaliatory actions between rival groups.
October 27 — The Siege Begins
By 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, more than 100 armed men—believed to be a mix of local lawless elements and MILF members—occupied a portion of the Basilan Circumferential Road in Tipo-Tipo Proper.
This marked the beginning of an intense standoff that paralyzed the municipality. Businesses and government offices shut down, and hundreds of families fled from the gunfire that echoed across residential zones.
Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman immediately convened an emergency meeting with local leaders, military and police officials, and the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to prevent further escalation.
Despite these efforts, sporadic gunfire continued overnight.
October 28, Morning — Tipo-Tipo Under Siege
By 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, negotiations collapsed as government emissaries sent to talk to the warring factions were met with gunfire.
Heavy fighting erupted within the town proper of Tipo-Tipo, forcing more residents to flee. Videos shared by locals captured the terrifying sound of automatic gunfire as civilians ran for safety.
Governor Hataman confirmed that four civilians were injured—three with minor wounds and one seriously, now confined in a Zamboanga City hospital.
Tipo-Tipo Mayor Ingatun G. Istarul released an official statement at 9:45 a.m., urging residents to stay calm and avoid spreading false information while the local government coordinated with national agencies for the restoration of peace.
“We trust that through proper dialogue, a peaceful solution can be achieved,” Mayor Istarul said.
Ceasefire and Humanitarian Impact
By noon, heavy rains briefly silenced the gunfire, giving way to ceasefire negotiations brokered by Governor Hataman and the Basilan Council of Elders.
The AFP’s 101st Infantry Brigade confirmed that both sides had agreed to a temporary ceasefire, with monitoring by the MILF-CCCH.
However, the humanitarian toll had already mounted.
The Municipal Social Welfare Office reported that over 7,000 individuals—or about 1,400 families—were displaced, seeking refuge in nearby barangays and evacuation centers.
October 28, Afternoon — Unified Condemnation
A joint statement issued by the Provincial Government of Basilan, the AFP 101st Brigade, and the PNP Basilan strongly condemned the killing of Ustadz Tarahin and the violence that followed.
The statement underscored that the “unjust killing of a respected Islamic leader and the subsequent acts of violence dishonor the principles of peace and justice that the people of Basilan uphold.”
Authorities vowed to pursue the perpetrators and to use “all legal means to restore peace and order.” The MILF leadership, meanwhile, pledged full cooperation to prevent rogue members from further undermining the peace pact.
An Old Wound: Loose Firearms and Fragile Peace
The Tipo-Tipo siege is not an isolated event. It is a symptom of a long-festering problem in Basilan and the rest of Mindanao — the widespread circulation of loose firearms and the fragility of the peace process.
Despite years of decommissioning efforts and peace agreements, many weapons remain in the hands of private armed groups, disgruntled MILF members, and civilians who view firearms as a means of survival and power.
Local officials have long warned that rido (clan feuds) and personal vendettas can quickly escalate into full-scale firefights in areas where weapons are abundant and trust in formal justice remains weak.
Ongoing Monitoring
As of this report, Governor Hataman continues to monitor the situation closely, expressing cautious optimism that the ceasefire will hold.
Military and police forces remain on heightened alert, with checkpoints established around Tipo-Tipo Proper to prevent re-escalation and secure evacuated areas.
But as gunfire fades into uneasy silence, one question remains — how many more lives must be lost before Basilan can finally lay down its arms for good?