Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan (center) and the members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council pose for a photo after they approved a resolution declaring the province as Abu Sayyaf-free during their council meeting on Sept. 6 in Patikul Municipality. [Photo courtesy of PLGU-Sulu]
JOLO, Sulu — The war against terrorism in Sulu is now over with the Provincial Peace and Order Council’s (PPOC) declaration that the province has been cleared of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“We just declared Sulu province as ASG-free, this was declared during our PPOC meeting on Tuesday” Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said in an interview on Friday, Sept. 8.
During the PPOC’s 3rd quarter meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in Patikul town, it approved a resolution declaring the province of Sulu as ASG-free.
The resolution stated that after decades of existence, the ASG has been strategically defeated as a result of the collaborative peace and development efforts exerted by the people of Sulu through the provincial local government unit, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), various ministries and agencies of the Bangsamoro Government, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and other concomitant stakeholders.
Prior to the council’s resolution, the 19 municipalities of Sulu –Jolo, Patikul, Indanan, Panglima Tahil, Pangutaran, Parang, Maimbung, Talipao, Panamao, Panglima Estino, Omar, Luuk, Kalingalang Caluang, Tapul, Lugus, Banguingui, Siasi, Pandami, and Pata– already have their respective resolutions declaring their communities as ASG-free.
“It is my great pleasure and immense pride to declare the Province of Sulu as ASG-Free. This event marks a significant accomplishment in our never-ending quest for stability, security, and peace,” Gov. Tan said in his message.
“With the support of our security sector and the community, we can see that the improvement in our province. This is the indicator that there is harmony, so we came up with the agreement that the Sulu will be declared ASG Free,” said Tan who also chairs the PPOC.
“Let us keep cooperating to create a community that respects harmony, diversity, and development,” he further said.
Reflecting on this achievement, Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, emphasized the success of their efforts.
“Prior to this momentous event, we were able to clear from ASG affectation the 52 ASG-affected barangays which attributed to the voluntary surrender of 966 ASG personalities and recovery of 559 firearms,” he said.
“Let us continue to work together to sustain our gains toward our common vision of lasting peace and sustainable development in the province of Sulu,” Patrimonio added.
The event was witnessed by the 19 municipal mayors of Sulu, Provincial Police Director Col. Narciso Paragas, brigade and battalion commanders, PNP officers, Joint Task Force Sulu members, line agency representatives, and other stakeholders. (Alline Jamar M. Undikan/BIO with reports from PH Army)
