20 firearms handed over to military after rido settlement in Basilan

PAGADIAN CITY (Feb. 25, 2021) - Following a rido settlement between two warring clans in Basilan, 20 loose firearms were handed over to the Joint Task Force Basilan on February 24, 2020.

“The troops of the 4th Special Forces Battalion in coordination with Basilan Police Provincial Office, Ulama Council, Council of Elders, and the local government of Tabuan-Lasa facilitated the talks and eventual settlement of the decades-long feud between the group of Basi Aba and Uztadz Gapur of Barangay Sulloh, Tapiantana Island, and Barahim and Mirang Hassan of Barangay Tung-umos, Tapiantana Island, both of Tabuan-Lasa, Basilan Province around 3 p.m. on Wednesday,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Based on the report submitted by JTF Basilan, the warring parties signed a peace covenant as a firm commitment to the settlement,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

According to 4SFBn Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Alex Ampati, both parties turned over a total of 20 loose firearms during the settlement held at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Cabunbata, Isabela City, Basilan.

“Said firearms include two 5.56mm M16A1 rifles, one 5.56mm Colt AR, fourteen Cal. 30 M1 Garand rifles, one 7.62 M14, one Cal. 30 M1 Carbine, one S&W Cal. 357, and assorted magazines and ammunitions,” said Lt. Col. Ampati.

The firearms were then presented to Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan later in the afternoon on the same day.

“I would like to commend our SF troopers, our partners, and stakeholders for taking the active action to end the rido in Tabuan-Lasa,” said Brig. Gen. Gobway.

The firearms are now in the custody of the 4SFBn for documentation and safekeeping.

“This gesture of the former feuding clans is very much appreciated. May they serve as a good example for others to follow so that everybody will have a chance to live in

harmony and prosperity,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“Rest assured that the WestMinCom will sustain all our efforts to resolve vertical and horizontal conflicts in our area of operation,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added. 

Since January 1, 2021, a total of 70 loose firearms were turned over to the different Joint Task Forces under the command of the WestMinCom. Among the 70, 21 were turned over to the JTF Central, 8 to JTF ZamPeLan, 13 to JTF Tawi-Tawi, 1 to JTF Zamboanga, 5 to JTF Sulu, and 22 to JTF Basilan.  (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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