Basilan town declared Abu Sayyaf-free

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Lantawan town in Basilan has been declared cleared of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

The Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict made the declaration on Tuesday after an assessment showed that the terrorist group no longer has influence in the town.

A peace program at the municipal covered court in Barangay Manggas was witnessed by Gov. Hajiman Hataman-Salliman, Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon of the 101st Infantry Brigade and Basilan police director Col. Carlos Madronio.

As a sign of peace, residents surrendered a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, four M16A1 rifles, two M1 Garand rifles, an MAC-11 machine pistol submachine gun, a shotgun, an M79 grenade launcher and two .45-caliber pistols to the municipal government.

“There is no more Abu Sayyaf group,” Mayor Nasser Abubakar said as he commended Hataman-Salliman for the assistance of the provincial government. ”With our brave soldiers and policemen, we have achieved the peace that we are longing for.”

Lantawan is known as the birthplace of the Abu Sayyaf, which was founded by its slain leader Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani in 1990.

Luzon said the dismantling of the Abu Sayyaf and its influence in Lantawan is a sign of progress in the town.

“This achievement is a direct result of the unwavering resolve of the people of Lantawan, who chose peace over violence, and a sign of the strength of collaboration among the military, the local government and the community,” he said.