SULU — As part of the Bangsamoro Government’s efforts in sustaining peace in Mindanao, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) is building a reformation center in Patikul, Sulu to help former members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who returned to the fold of the law.
MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo led last Friday, June 11, the groundbreaking ceremony for the P25-million worth facility that will rise at Barangay Langhub.
“This facility is part of the commitment we’ve made to the Western Mindanao Command and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Patikul as we joined them in rebuilding the lives of Abu Sayaf Group (ASG) members who returned to the fold of law,” said Sinarimbo.
Records show that Barangay Langhub was a known stronghold of the ASG, cannot be accessed even by the military as the roads are impassable due to the group’s presence.
Through the reformation center, the ex-ASG members will undergo skills training, including ideological belief reorientation. “We believed that the long term solution is providing them a new (correct) perspective of the interpretation of their religious belief,” the minister said.
Sinarimbo assured that the center would be a safe space where massive program will be employed to ensure that the ASG members will become productive citizens as they return to the community.
Meanwhile, Patikul Municipal Administrator Nasser Hayudini emphasized that the facility is important in the reintegration of the former insurgents.
“Ang pagkakaroon po nito ay napakahalaga upang ating mapagtuunan ng pansin at magabayan ang ating mga returnees na ilang taon ding nawalay sa kanilang mahal sa buhay,” said Hayudini.
“Nais po naming pasalamatan ang MILG BARMM sa pagkakaroon natin ng reformation center dahil napakahalaga nito para mas lalo nating magabayan ang mga nabanggit na returnees para sa kanilang panibagong buhay na tatahakin sa lipunang ginagalawan nila at upang mas tumibay pa ang kanilang pagtitiwala sa gobyerno, ” Hayudini added.
Commander of the 1103rd Brigadier General Benjamin Batara also thanked the Bangsamoro Government for responding to their call on having a reformation center. “Ang pagkakaroon ng reformation center ay napaka importante po para sa campaign o effort ng ating mga kasundaluhan, ng mga ating LGUs, at sa iba’t-ibang agency,” he said.
Batara shared that as soon as the project is completed, they will take the necessary step for their planned interventions.
Based on official records, there are already more than 800 insurgents who have returned to the fold of law.
Among the dignitaries to the groundbreaking ceremony were MILG Provincial Director Emini Kadiri and Patikul Vice Mayor Pulaus Tarsum. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)
