Basilan road project to be completed despite threat

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 12): Basilan road project to be completed despite threat

The public works office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is determined to finish the multi-million circumferential road in Basilan disrupted by the recent ambush of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) against government forces securing the project.

Engr. Emil Sadain, regional secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM), said the project will connect major towns in the island province of Basilan.

ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman earlier said the engineering office in Basilan had been subjected to harassment by ASG for its refusal to give in to the group’s demand for protection money.

In fact, Hataman said, a bomb went off in the house of Basilan district engineer after he junked demands for money by the extremist group.

Hataman said the engineering head of Basilan had received an extortion demand from ASG asking him to shell out Php200,000 month “protection money.” It was ignored and his house was attacked.

Hataman also said he received a call from suspected Abu Sayyaf asking him to provide Php200,000 protection money. He rejected the demand.

“It is our responsibility and obligation to finish the project because we believe the people of Basilan deserve infrastructure development like any other region in the country,” Sadain said.

Sadain said threats of harassment and extortion have been accompanying government projects in areas known to be lair of bandits and rebels.

“Our government forces are providing us security because we need to complete the project as programmed,” he said.

“We should not be cowed by these lawless elements because we strongly believed the good will always triumph over the bad at the end of the day,” Sadain said.

Six soldiers, including a young Army lieutenant graduate of Philippine Military Academy in 2014, were killed when Abu Sayyaf staged an ambush on Nov. 2 in Sumisip town, Basilan.

The atrocities revived calls for an all-out offensive against the extremists, including from Hataman who has grown tired of what he described as saboteurs in his efforts to improve the lives of ARMM residents.

Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, Philippine Army chief, said an all-out war against the ASG was an option but stressed the Army is weighing another options.

Iriberri was guest of honor during the 6th Infantry Division 27th founding anniversary on Monday.

He said the Army ground commanders in Basilan, who are more knowledgeable on the situation in their area of responsibility, are yet to recommend for an all-out war.

“May be a surgical and limited Army offensive will crush the militants,” he told a local TV network.

Amid the harassment by ASG, Engr. Sadain assured public works officials in Basilan that his office is very concern about their safety and it is doing everything to ensure they are safe and the project is completed.

http://www.mb.com.ph/basilan-road-project-to-be-completed-despite-threat/