Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines on the security incident in Basilan

Manila, Philippines, 23 January 2025

I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives during a security incident in Lower Cabengben Barangay in Sumisip, Basilan yesterday (22 January 2025). 

I would like to express the United Nations’ sympathies with those who were affected and their families. No United Nations personnel were in the immediate vicinity of the incident.

I strongly condemn the ambush, which occurred when members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were on their way to escort a team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for community engagement in the area. 

Our efforts to reach those who need it most often requires us to work in challenging and insecure environments.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the UN supports peacebuilding efforts of national, regional and local authorities. We have made significant progress. We will stay and deliver in BARMM.

The United Nations, in close cooperation with security forces, carries out security risk assessments before undertaking missions in the Philippines. This was the first such incident involving a United Nations team since the implementation of the peace process.