Located off the southern coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula, is the island province of Basilan. For most local and foreign travelers, this province does not usually make it to their travel list due to its reputation.

PART 1: BACK TO BASILAN

Basilan carries with it a heavy historical burden—a past marred by decades of conflict. The island has long been associated with war, crimes and kidnappings, shaping a negative image in mainstream media. However, recent developments have highlighted a surprising shift. According to the latest publication by the National Defense College of the Philippines, over a thousand extremists have chosen a path of surrender and reintegration into society since 2016.

In Part 1: Back to Basilan, we take a look at the scarred history of Basilan, through the lens of veteran conflict reporter Ed Lingao. After more than a decade, Ed returns with Team Woman In Action, surprised to find that the once muddy pathways he walked through, are now well-built concrete roads. If it took several days to get around Basilan before, today it just takes hours. If before, people disappeared from the streets as the sun went down, now the night bustles with economic activity.

How have rebels embraced their new lives as part of the peace process? What makes others reluctant to give up arms? To answer that question, we braved the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp in Al-Barka, to speak with Dan Asnawi, commander of the MILF 114th base command, where we witness rebel soldiers and government troops gamely play a round of voleyball. For the first time, visitors were also allowed to visit the site of a marine convoy that was ambushed in Albarka in 2007, notoriously putting AlBarka on the map in 2007.

At this site, the MILF rebel leader says Never Again, and Tourism, not Terrorism.

What was instrumental in breaking the apparent downward spiral of Basilan? What worked for Basilan, and what could work for other provinces scarred by war?


** Basilan Parts 1 & 2 are written by both Gretchen Ho and Ed Lingao with interspersing voices to give varying points of view and a proper side-by-side account of what Basilan was before, what it is now and where it seems to be headed.

00:00 - Journey to Basilan
The Island of Basilan, a Place with Complex History and their Path to Peace.
01:44 - Embarking on Our Journey to Basilan
Team Woman in Action and Veteran Journalist Ed Lingao Begin Their Adventure
04:42 - Understanding the Bangsamoro Region Today
A Look at the Current State of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
05:42 - From Zamboanga to Basilan: A Journey with Purpose
Why Veteran Broadcast-Journalist Ed Lingao Returns to Basilan After More Than Two Decades.
08:50 - Arrival in Basilan
Meeting Our Security Team and Assessing the Peace Situation
11:12 - A Glimpse into BARMM's History
Exploring the Background of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
12:24 - Mapping Our Journey: The Basilan Circumferential Road
Planning Our Route Across the Island
14:04 - Revisiting the Lamitan Siege
A Reflection on the Events of June 2, 2001
20:00 - Meeting Dr. Arlene: A Peacekeeper’s Story
How One Woman is Helping Former MILF Fighters Surrender
21:27 - Parangbasak National High School
Engaging with Young Basileños and Distributing Laptops and Volleyballs
23:40 - The Challenging Road to Al-Barka, Basilan
Assessing Security as We Approach a Former Conflict Zone
25:35 - Al-Barka’s Bloody History
Ed Lingao Recalls the Camp of Terrorist Groups and the Past Decade of Violence
28:22 - Al-Barka Today
Witnessing the Positive Changes in a Former Militants’ Stronghold
32:14 - Hope in Al-Barka
Exploring the Improved Community and its Road to Peace
33:58 - Visiting Barangay Guinanta
Standing at the Site of a Bloody Ambush and Reflecting on the Path to Peace
and Participating in a Symbolic Walk to End Violence in Basilan
38:29 - Ending the Culture of Violence
Mama Doc’s Save the Children of Basilan Foundation
46:10 - New Hope for Basilan’s Children
Donating Laptops and Volleyballs to Foster Learning and Play
48:08 - A Friendly Volleyball Game
Playing with Former MILF Members and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a symbol of Unity.
49:41 - Exploring Lakit Sand Bar
Discovering the Potential for Basilan’s Future Through Tourism
53:21 - Reflecting on Our Basilan Adventure
Concluding Our Journey and Looking Forward to Our Next Episode

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