Malamawi Airstrip

The primary reason for the airstrip's closure was the severe deterioration of the security situation in Basilan province, primarily due to the rise and intense activity of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The escalating conflict, including kidnappings and violence, made flight operations for private and missionary groups exceptionally dangerous and unsustainable. Economic non-viability for a small, specialized airstrip in a high-risk conflict zone was a major contributing factor.

The airstrip is permanently closed and defunct. Satellite imagery confirms the runway outline is still visible but is completely unmaintained, heavily overgrown with vegetation, and unusable for any aviation purposes. The surrounding area on Malamawi Island has been repurposed for military use. A major Philippine Army installation, the headquarters of the 4th Special Forces Battalion, is now located adjacent to or partially on the former airstrip grounds. The site is effectively under military control.

Malamawi Airstrip was a small, private airfield primarily serving general aviation purposes. It was historically significant for its use by American Christian missionary organizations, most notably the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), who used small aircraft to support their activities in the remote region. It also likely served private individuals and potentially supported early tourism efforts on Malamawi Island, which is known for its white sand beaches. The airstrip handled small, single-engine propeller aircraft (like Cessna or Piper models) capable of using a short, unpaved runway. It was never a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled passenger flights.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Malamawi Airstrip. Any discussions regarding aviation development in Basilan province focus on upgrading the existing airports at Lamitan (Basilan Airport, RPMS) or the underutilized airport in Isabela City proper (RPMB). The strategic military presence on Malamawi Island, combined with the airstrip's rudimentary infrastructure and the availability of other airfields in the province, makes its revival for civilian use extremely unlikely.