I have mentioned here a number of times that I tend to be rather adventurous, and I tend to go to places where a lot of other foreigners don’t really go. One place that I went to earlier this year that was sort of “off the beaten path” was to the Island of Basilan. Basilan is in the Sulu Archipelago, south of Zamboanga City. Basilan is notorious as a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group, an Al Qaeda splinter here in the Philippines. As such, not many tourists go there, to say the least.
Actually, I was taking a trip to Tawi Tawi, which is further south of Basilan in February, 2006. Tawi Tawi is actually closer to Malaysia than it is to Zamboanga, that shows just how far south it is. I had to fly from Davao City to Zamboanga City, then take another flight to Tawi Tawi on a small plane. On my flight to Zamboanga, I was reading the in-flight magazine and they had an article about things to do in Zamboanga. One part of the article was telling about Basilan, which is about a one hour ride on a fastcraft boat from Zamboanga City. The article was interesting to me, and I found myself wanting to go to Basilan. After coming back to Zamboanga from Tawi Tawi, I would have two days to kill before the next flight to Davao, so the trip to Basilan was particularly interesting to me. I wasn’t sure, though, so I kept it in the back of my mind. I had never heard anything good about Basilan, only how dangerous it was, so I was a bit skeptical about going there.
After returning from Tawi Tawi, my blood started getting some excitement when I thought about the possibility of visiting Basilan. I called my friend, Bobby Timonera, who has connections all over Mindanao. If anybody could give me good advice about a visit to Basilan, it would be Bobby. Bobby listened to what I had to say, and told me that he would get back to me. Within a couple of hours, Bobby called and gave me contact information from a fellow named “Rico.” Bobby said that he knew Rico’s mother, and that Rico would be happy to go to Basilan with me and act as my guide there.
I talked on the phone with Rico, and we agreed to meet on Sunday morning at my hotel, so that we could talk for a while and possibly make the trip. Rico showed up right on time on Sunday morning, and we had breakfast at the hotel. What a nice guy! I was really happy to know Rico, he was a great guy, and very knowledgeable about Basilan. As I talked to Rico, I found that he has an “NGO” (non-governmental organization) on Basilan. In the USA we don’t usually use the term “NGO” although it is used in many other countries. Basically it is a non-profit or charitable organization. Rico’s NGO is called MOPI (Maluso Outreach Program, Inc.) and it assists children in Basilan. Rico is very dedicated to helping people in Basilan, particularly children.
We had a great time in Basilan, and Rico was really a good guide. Not only did he know all the places to visit, it seemed that everybody on the Island knows him! Everyplace that we would stop, it seemed that there were people who knew Rico and would wave and say “Hi” to him when we passed.
During our time there in Basilan, we visited Isabela City, which is the Capital City of the Province of Basilan. We also went to Lamitan. For those of you who are not familiar with Lamitan, it is famous because it is a place where American Missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were held by the Abu Sayyaf Group in a kidnapping in 2000 and 2001. There was a major gunfight at the hospital in Lamitan, which resulted in the escape of the Abu Sayyaf and their hostages, leading to many more months of captivity for the Burnhams. I actually visited the very hospital where the Abu Sayyaf had been involved in the gunfight, which was a very humbling and interesting experience. One of the Abu Sayyaf hostages who died in the ordeal is actually buries right next to the front door of the hospital, and I paused there to honor her presence.
Without Rico Valmonte, I probably would not have been able to visit Basilan. Having him with me, with his experience allowed me to gather the courage to visit the troubled island, and I hope that someday I can go back there again. Right now, things are really hot in Basilan, it’s really back to being a war zone again. In July 10 Philippine Marines were beheaded by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Basilan, and now there is a strong military presence there, with war seemingly ready to break out at any minute. I do hope that this passes and I can return to the island again sometime in the future.
Yesterday,was the first time I had left A posting or comment to your post and lately I've become A daily reader of your materials and you have A lot of good material and insight of the philippines and I enjoy this. Thank you! I am happy that your trip to Basilan was rewarding with no incidence of violence. For myself I would be very conservative and stay away. The violence to all of this is the way these people need to show the world that they need change,for what ever the reason it affects the whole Nation with fear. This is A natural response to all of this conflict and we will survive with dignity and respect for one and the other.As I said with the last posting I am from Portland, Oregon and Zarraga,ILOILO Again Thank you for your insight..
Hi Bob Taylor – Thanks for your comment. I did have a great time visiting Basilan. I told people that during that trip, the time I spent in Tawi Tawi was more fun with all the beautiful reefs, islands and such, but the time in Basilan was more interesting with all of the things that I learned there!
Its good to hear that you're safe and enjoyed your visit at Basilan… Good to know and read stuff about basilan that doesnt relate to war… even if im just living here in manila, the only news we get is about the ongoing war! kudos to you for being brave
Hi Bob!
I am actually thrilled by your story about your visit to Basilan. It was a pleasure bringing you around and a very rewarding one. For me, at least, a guy like you had the courage to do so. And write about your trip.
If you want to visit Basilan again, I would be glad to bring you to a place called Maluso, where my NGO is located and see our humble office with children coming in and out almost every minute of the day. But not this time yet. I will have to work for more projects for the people there.
Too bad, we have little to offer them this time. I hope in the future my Org will be able to to have projects for them which would be long term.
HI pusa – Yes, I did really enjoy visiting Basilan a great deal. There are many happenings in Basilan other than the war, and I hope that someday I can go back and see more of it there.
Hi Rico – Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad that you left your comment! I thank you again for your assistance in taking me to Basilan. One day I will indeed like to visit Maluso! I am sure that you are doing some wonderful things there. 🙂
Hello Bob – you are really an adventurous & brave person, i was curious (actually) & was thinking…if you've been to Basilan since you've traveled a lot..
Anyways, Its good to know that you had a safe & pleasant trip.
I wish that this on going situation in Basilan would end, and wish more people to support for Maluso's org. Good luck on your next safe visit to Basilan.
Hi marygrace – Yep, I sure have been to Basilan, and to most every other Province in Mindanao too! I have 4 more to go to that I have yet to visit, but I hope to finish them all soon, though!
Bob,
Good move on having someone who's not only from Basilan but also a well-know resident to guide you around. If not for him I who knows what could have happened.
Great post and best regards to your family,
Rmada
😮 Hi Bob!
I?m very happy that you had been in my hometown Lamitan, Basilan. If you only know how beautiful that island is, I compare it to a paradise and before the war broke there are many foreigners living there and some are still there for good and their children are now filipino citizens. All we need is PEACE once again and orderliness. Basilan people are happy and peace loving people and we can survive alone even just depending on the resources of the place. Basilan is all rich and no wonder why it was once upon a time a greener pasture of all filipinos from all over the Philippines and that is why Basilan is multi-dialect spoken.I'm far from my hometown but Basilan is deep in my heart.
Elizabeth Ventulero-Lizio
President, La Filippiniana Onlus Italy
Hi Elizabeth ventulero-lizio – Thanks for dropping by and leaving your comment. Indeed, Basilan is a beautiful place, but it won't be visited by too many people until it can overcome it's reputation. I do hope and pray that this day can come sometime in our lifetimes.
hi bob,
found this “old” yet interesting writeup on your trip to basilan. as a surfer, this makes me curious : were the waves in their beaches ‘flat’? or big enough to surf on– say, from 2 feet (wave height) to overhead?
Hi biz doc – When I went to Basilan, I spent most of my time “inland” not on the beach. My only “on the water” experience there was at the port, and there really were no waves there. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.