LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — In a significant step toward lasting peace and social reintegration, Former Violent Extremists (FVE) and the Philippine Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion (18IB) successfully conducted a team-building activity on January 31, 2026, at the 18IB Headquarters in Barangay Campo Uno, Lamitan City.
Led by 18IB Commander Lt. Col. Anthony C. Caro, INF (GSC) PA, the activity carried the theme “Rebuilding Trust and Unity: A Team Building Initiative for FVE through Partnership,” underscoring the military’s commitment to reconciliation, cooperation, and inclusive peacebuilding in Basilan.
The initiative aimed to strengthen trust, promote unity, and foster collaboration among former extremists, the military, and key civilian stakeholders—an essential component of ongoing efforts to reintegrate former combatants into society and build resilient communities vulnerable to radicalization.
The team-building activity was conducted in partnership with the Katilingbanong Pamahandi sa Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (KPMFI), led by Executive Director Richard Rejas, alongside the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Basilan, represented by Anwar M. Kiman. Also lending support was Sadar Saharin, representative of the Bangsamoro Youth Program (BYP)–Tuburan, who shared insights on youth engagement and the critical role of young people in sustaining peace and social reintegration.
Participants engaged in trust-building exercises and dialogue sessions designed to break down barriers, address lingering mistrust, and encourage shared responsibility in preventing the resurgence of violent extremism.
Officials said the successful conduct of the activity highlights the growing collaboration between the Philippine Army and civil society organizations in advancing the government’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) framework, which emphasizes community-based and whole-of-society approaches to peace and security.
The 18th Infantry Battalion reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining inclusive programs that place communities at the center of peacebuilding efforts, stressing that security gains in Basilan must be matched with social healing, livelihood support, and meaningful reintegration.
As Basilan continues its journey away from conflict, initiatives like this team-building activity signal a deliberate shift from purely security-driven responses toward partnerships rooted in trust, unity, and shared hope for lasting peace and development.