Basilan: Troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion conducted a combat patrol and clean-up drive in the former Abu Sayyaf Group stronghold of Sampinit Complex in Basilan province. This operation was part of efforts to familiarize troops with the terrain, maintain security, and deter potential threats in the area, which borders Isabela City, Sumisip, and Maluso.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Gerwin Maghuyop, the commander of the 32IB, emphasized the importance of the patrol and subsequent clean-up drive along the Sampinit Complex highway. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to reinforce environmental protection and community responsibility in a region once notorious for extremist activity.
The Sampinit Complex was historically significant as a hub for the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group. In 2000, this location was the site of a tragic incident where Claretian priest Fr. Rhoel Gallardo and others were killed after ransom demands were unmet. The current military operation aligns with recent civilian-led efforts aimed at rehabilitating the area.
Governor Mujiv Hataman has recently taken steps towards peace and environmental restoration in the region. He led a peace caravan and a tree-planting activity, which involved the planting of 1,200 seedlings. This initiative was carried out under an executive order focused on protecting Basilan's forests and promoting peace in the historically troubled area.
