Isabela City, Basilan — July 30, 2025
In a powerful display of unity and reconciliation, leaders of the provincial government and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front–Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) gathered in Basilan to strengthen their shared commitment to peace and progress.
Governor Mujiv Hataman met with MILF-BIAF officials yesterday at the Taguime Hall of the Basilan People’s Capitol to discuss the province’s peace and order situation. The meeting marked another significant step in maintaining harmony and preventing the resurgence of violence in a province once considered a hotspot of armed conflict.
Basilan, which for decades grappled with instability and fear, now stands as a testament to what dialogue and cooperation can achieve. From being a flashpoint of unrest, the province is transforming into a beacon of hope and unity in the Bangsamoro region.
“This is no longer the Basilan of the past,” said a provincial official present at the meeting. “In this Bagong Basilan, peace prevails not only through the absence of violence but through the presence of open dialogue and mutual understanding.”
The stakeholders reaffirmed that the foundation of lasting peace is built not just on silence, but on courageous conversations and the willingness of leaders to listen, collaborate, and act for the greater good.
As Basilan continues its path toward inclusive development, the spirit of unity among former adversaries is proving to be one of its strongest assets.