For a few tense hours on Tuesday morning, the usually quiet municipality of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan stood on edge as armed men, reportedly backed by rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), stormed the town’s municipal hall, demanding justice for the death of a local Islamic teacher.
The Philippine Army confirmed the incident, deploying troops to the area after the local government unit (LGU) announced that Tipo-Tipo was “under siege.”
By 7 a.m., fear had gripped the small town. Shops stayed shuttered. Parents kept their children indoors. The Tipo-Tipo local government unit posted an alarming update on social media: the town was “under siege.”
For residents, the words brought back haunting memories of conflict — the kind that had once defined life in many parts of Mindanao.
“The Philippine Army confirms that an incident occurred earlier today in the municipality of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan,” said Colonel Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesperson, based on reports.
According to Major General Leonardo Peña, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Orion, the unrest stemmed from a rido, a clan feud, between two groups following the killing of Ustadz Nadzmi “Bahang” Tarahin, an Islamic teacher and barangay kagawad of Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo.
Tarahin was shot dead on October 21 while waiting for his daughter at a bus terminal in Lamitan City. Police have since arrested two suspects, believed to be connected to his murder.
Early Tuesday, an undetermined number of gunmen descended on Tipo-Tipo’s municipal hall at around 7 a.m., demanding that the local government surrender the suspects. The situation quickly escalated when a firefight erupted between the armed men and responding government forces.
“Our forces were deployed to provide security and prevent escalation,” Peña said, noting that around 150 soldiers were mobilized to contain the situation.
The exchange of gunfire left at least two civilians injured, though no military personnel were reported hurt. The gunmen, the Army said, included rogue members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the MILF’s armed wing.
By mid-morning, local authorities, the Basilan Council of Elders, and peace partners managed to open dialogue between the feuding sides.
“By 11:20 a.m., the conflicting groups agreed to withdraw from the area, returning to their respective communities under the supervision of our forces,” Peña said.
Still, the early morning panic had already rippled through the town. The Tipo-Tipo LGU’s initial post on social media declaring that the town was “under siege” triggered anxiety among residents and netizens alike, reviving memories of the 2017 Marawi siege.
By noon, the tension had eased, but the fear lingered. Children peeked out from windows; elders gathered in small groups to talk about what happened.
For many in Tipo-Tipo, the incident was a stark reminder of the fragility of peace — and of the strength of unity.
“Tipo-Tipo under siege by lawless elements backed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” the LGU wrote in its now-updated advisory.
But Peña was quick to assure the public that the situation had been contained.
As soldiers continue to guard the area and officials pursue peace talks, life in Tipo-Tipo moves on: cautiously, quietly, but with hope.
