Invest in Peace: Reformation program for ex-Abu Sayyaf members launched in Basilan

A program intended to reform 214 former members of the Abu Sayyaf has been launched in Basilan recently.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr, who was once the Brigade Commander in Basilan in 2012, said “it is the investment in peace that made Basilan successful in addressing the trend of violent extremism” during the launching of the reformation program in Isabela, Basilan last June 24.

He encouraged the private sectors, particular those in the corporate businesses, to also invest in this kind of peace initiative.

“We see the active involvement of foreign countries in helping address the fundamentals of the conflict here in Mindanao. I am inviting our private sector to do the same in the spirit of compassion and malasakit (care),” he urged.

Galvez who pioneered the usage of “peace lens” in the security operations during his stint as commander of the 104th Brigade in Basilan in 2012, 6th Infantry Division in Central Mindanao, and Western Mindanao Command has helped members of Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Maute Group to turn themselves in to the authorities.

A total of more than 500 Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Figthers and Maute members already surrendered to the government and we are expecting that there will be more.

“Basilan today can be viewed as a model for other areas to emulate in developing programs for the prevention of this misguided ideology to thrive on,” he said.

Marawi City and areas in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, which have experienced the impact of violent extremism, are now following the footsteps of the people in Basilan, Galvez said referring to the deradicalization of former Maute Group members which is being conducted by the 103rd Brigrade in Marawi City.

“Today, we are gathered here with a common objective, which is to help the members of the Abu Sayyaf to return to the path of peace,” he said.

Basilan Governor Hajiman Hataman Saliman said it is the mission of the local government to deny the ASG the chance to make the province as their stronghold again.

“I thank you for coming back and (joining) the mainstream society,” he told the former members of the ASG at the launching of the program inside the camp of the 4th Special Battalion in Kabunbata, Isabela City, Basilan.

“Let’s work together. Our experiences should lead us to not use and take up arms anymore,” he said in the vernacular.

“Let’s use our time now for peace building. The government is here to help,” he added.

Preventing and Transforming Violent Extremists Program

The program was conceptualized as members of the terror group have begun to turn themselves in following continuing pressure from the military operations, and strong intervention coming from the local government and religious groups as the threat of violent extremism has taken root in some parts of Mindanao.

The Prevention and Transformation of Violent Extremist program was crafted when Mujiv Hataman, the former regional governor of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), invited the non-government organization Balay Mindanaw to come up with a holistic program to help the returnees integrate into mainstream society.

The reintegration planning was then extended to other sectors such as the military and non-government organizations in the island province.

From 2017 to January 2018, a series of interventions were initially given to 86 former members of ASG. The group underwent an exposure tour program in Cagayan de Oro City.

From its success, the regional government of the former ARMM, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Balay Mindanaw felt the need to improve and expand the initiative, leading to the creation of a Disengagement Program for Former Local Terrorists.

The program aims to provide a platform for a comprehensive reformation for former extremists who decided to return to the folds of the law. It will also develop a template that will guide the crafting of regional and national policies for reformation which will benefit provinces which are confronting the problems of violent extremism.

The components of the program include psychosocial debriefing, religious re-education, exposure tour (changing the mindset and offering possibilities), research and family profiling, coordination work, and regional learning and sharing. This program will also include assistance to former victims and affected communities.

Charlito Manlupig, the chief executive officer of Balay Mindanaw, admitted that the task in helping former ASG members is very “delicate but rewarding.”

Regaining normal life

Hussin Jamiri, one of the former members of the ASG, said giving them a second chance to live a new life is something they will forever be grateful for.

Jamiri, who admitted to have been hiding for 13 years, decided to return to the folds of law because of the constant pressure coming from the military.

He said he was tired of running, and wanted to reclaim his old life.

He is now convincing other ASG members to leave behind the “life of a thug.”

“For those who are still with the Abu Sayyaf, I hope you will be enlightened. There is so much to life than hiding in the mountains,” he said in his native Yakan dialect. (DCHerald w/ OPAPP PR)