Gov't projects to pour in former Abu Sayyaf camp in Basilan town

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19): Gov't projects to pour in former Abu Sayyaf camp in Basilan town

TIPO-TIPO, Basilan –- Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) witnessed the turnover ceremony marking the restoration of government authority in the former stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Baguindan here on Sunday.

Hataman called for unity in achieving long lasting peace as he spoke to hundreds of residents present in the event.

"It's about time for this place (Barangay Baguindan) to receive various programs and projects from the government," Hataman said as he vowed to pour projects in Barangay Baguindan.

"Ang Baguindan ay para sa Baguindan. Nandito kami para protektahan ang mga tao dito (Baguindan is for Baguindan. We are here to protect the people)," he added.

Mayor Arcam Istarul expressed gratitude to the government and security forces, who neutralized the lawless elements in their area.

"We will help the people of Baguindan through livelihood projects," Istarul said.

"Mabayah kami sanyang lahat kami (We want our place to be a peaceful one)," Bisahari Hantian, Baguindan barangay chairperson said in Yakan, the local dialect.

Saida Abubakar, 57, a resident of the Baguindan, said they are glad the government never forgot them throughout the ordeal.

"Sana po ito na talaga ang umpisa ng pagbangon ng lugar namin. Sapat na po ang mahigit 40 years na pauli-ulit kaming nag-eevacuate (We really hope this is the start of our community's recovery. Forty years of constant evacuation is enough)," Abubakar added.

Lt. Col. Ernest John Jadloc, Army's 74th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the camp was seized after a month of offensive against the ASG brigands by joint forces of his battalion, 18th IB, 64th IB, Scout Rangers, and Special Forces.

Jadloc said the offensive was also meant to bring back government authority and social services in areas occupied by the ASG brigands.

The ARMM regional government and the provincial government conducted a People's Day to provide free services such as medical consultation and check-ups, along with the distribution of hygiene kits.

Present during the event were ARMM Regional Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., Anak Mindanao partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, and other ARMM, military and police officials.

ARMM's Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) also distributed relief packs to 1,574 families in Barangay Baguindan and Barangay Silangkum and in the nearby town of Al-Barka.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=924109