ISABELA CITY — Local government officials and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a reconciliation agreement, marking the end of months of negotiations to resolve violent tensions in Basilan province.
Brig. Gen. Frederick M. Sales, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said the rites were held at the Joint Peace and Security Team camp in Tipo-Tipo. The agreement aims to resolve conflicts rooted in clan feuds and historical insurgencies while fostering trust between local authorities and MILF representatives from Barangay Baguindan.
Tipo-Tipo Mayor Ingatun Istarul and Ustadz Ansur Tarahin, a prominent MILF elder, signed the Amicable Settlement Agreement. The pact commits both sides to non-retaliation, the disarmament of rogue elements, and collaborative community rebuilding.
“This settlement is not just symbolic; it’s a lifeline for thousands displaced by past conflicts,” Sales said. “By integrating MILF’s normalization programs with local governance, we’re turning potential flashpoints into opportunities for development.”
Barangay Baguindan, populated predominantly by Yakan and Tausug Muslims, has historically struggled with volatility.
In October 2025, a fatal rido, or clan feud, sparked by the killing of local official Nadzri Tarahin led to the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents and the closure of schools and offices.
The agreement builds on a November 2025 peace deal brokered by Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, in which warring clans pledged a ceasefire and restitution. Under the new pact, the MILF has pledged to monitor and report suspicious activities in the area.
With the settlement in place, the municipal government plans to launch infrastructure projects, including housing and sanitation initiatives. These projects will be funded through the 2026 General Appropriations Act for the Bangsamoro.