by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – When
enemies of State occupy territories and establish camps, this creates
opportunities for terror to expand and misery to thrive.
Since the 1990s, the notorious Abu Sayyfas had
been terrorizing the people of Basilan and stretched its evil hands out to its
neighboring provinces and cities. They have even pledged allegiance to ISIS to
boost its intention to create widespread fear and uncertainties not only in
Basilan, but in the entire country as well.
When President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his
recent visit in Basilan, ordered the complete eradication of the Abu Sayyafs
until the last bandit, the military’s relentless pursuit operation at the
hinterlands of the island took off unwaveringly.
President Duterte’s strong pronouncements
versus terrorism have echoed to the hearts of the soldiers that boosted their
morale to help the people of Basilan to attain peace now.
The president’s firm resolve has gained
results. On Aug 15, elements from the 104TH Brigade led by the 4TH
Special Forces Battalion finally seized the enemy’s stronghold at Barangay
Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Province. The hill is the ASG’s last stronghold
after the terrorists went on the run from the relentless military operation
that started in July.
Last Sunday (Aug 14), Special Forces troops
from the 4TH Special Forces Battalion, 2ND Special Forces Battalion and SF Combat
Qualification Course (SFCQC) students were able to simultaneously seize and
control Barangay Baguindan Proper, Tipo-Tipo and Hill 440 (Kawilan Hill), a
strategic stronghold of the ASGs.
1LT Ron Villarosa, Public Affairs Officer, 4TH
Special Force Battalion said that the decisive terrain serves to secure the
enemy’s vital mobility and supply corridor and also stands as a monument to
intimidate nearby communities. The combined arms assault from the Special
Forces, other elite counter terrorism units and Light Armor Cavalry Troops with
support from massive artillery fires forced the enemy to abandon their
stronghold.
Villarosa said that forging alliance with
locals and key peace stakeholders like the MNLF has helped a lot in the
successful takeover of ASG strongholds by government troops.
For him, such is just a glimpse of the Elite
Special Forces’ ability to wage an unseen war within the hearts and the minds
of the populace. Living up as silent professionals, the 4TH Special
Forces Battalion is in the forefront on the “war on terror” in Basilan Province
- silently doing their share of such critical task - without fanfare or
trumpet’s blare. #50FirstDays #PartnerForChange
