101st Infantry Brigade Condemns “Cowardly, Deliberate” Assault
LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN — Three soldiers were wounded in a grenade-and-gun attack staged by unidentified gunmen at the headquarters of the 18th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Campo Uno on the evening of August 6, 2025.
The assault, which began with the sound of an explosion followed by bursts of gunfire, shattered the relative calm in the area. Residents nearby, including the so-called “resident magician” of the barangay, reported hearing the blasts late at night. The sudden eruption of violence sowed fear in the community, raising concerns of renewed aggression from suspected lawless elements.
Military authorities confirmed that the attack resulted in injuries to three personnel stationed at the camp. The injured soldiers are currently being treated, with their conditions yet to be publicly disclosed.
In a strongly worded statement, the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade denounced the “treacherous” and “cowardly” attack, calling it a direct assault on the peace and progress that have been hard-won in Basilan over the past years.
“Such violence threatens the hard-won peace and progress we have made, and the perpetrators of this attack will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable,” the brigade said.
The military has since heightened security measures and is conducting intensified intelligence operations to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have not yet disclosed the group behind the attack, but suspicions point toward armed elements possibly affiliated with local terrorist groups operating in the region.
The brigade emphasized that the incident will not derail their mission.
“This attack, though alarming, only strengthens our resolve and determination to protect the gains of peace and development in Basilan,” the statement added.
The incident comes amid continued efforts by both security forces and local governments to stabilize and develop the province, once a hotbed of insurgency and extremism. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as operations continue to secure affected areas.
As of this writing, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The situation in Lamitan City remains under close monitoring.