Gov’t sets to rebuild conflict-ridden Baguindan in Basilan .

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 30): Gov’t sets to rebuild conflict-ridden Baguindan in Basilan .

For four decades this small barangay of Baguindan in Basilan had been the battleground for the Abu Sayyafs and the military where countless died and many of the civilians were on the run from the bandits.

Most of the more than 2,000 residents have fled to nearby Tipo-Tipo town and they are assisted by the military each time they visit their lands and tend to their livelihood. There was no room for development nor improvement, and progress.

Last Sept. 18, the ARMM regional government, the provincial government of Basilan, and a number of government agencies set foot for the first time in about four decades at infamous Baguindan to launch its rebuilding and ceremonial return of its residents in the community, calling it the people’s event.

“First time ko rin mula noong nag-politiko ako (This is my first time since I became a politician),” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said, as he cited the longing of the community to experience peace there once and for all.

He said that the people of Baguindan are fed up with the conflict brought about by the notorious Abu Sayyafs and that the local government has been asking for a permanent military detachment to provide security and protection to the residents from the bandits.

With the other government agencies, the regional government brought there the ARMM HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team) complete with the medical and dental team as well as psychosocial interventions and relief goods from the DSWD.

In speaking before his constituents, Governor Mujiv stressed that the solution to the problem does not only depend on the government but more importantly, the solution lies on the determination of the community to end atrocities and not to be governed by fear of the bandits.

He urged the Muslims not to be swayed by the promise of heaven when people would cling to the extremist ideals of the ASG.

Speaking in Filipino, the regional governor said that the ASGs are not the only Muslims here that love our country, as they claim to be; that they are not the only Muslims who want to go to heaven.

He, however, lamented that the problem with the ASGs’ ideals is that they follow the extremist way from the Middle East that kills and destroys lives.

“Ang hamon ko sa kanila kung matapang talaga sila, huwag silang makipag-gyera kung saan madaming mga sibilyan. Bakit kung dumarating yung mga kalaban ay tumatakbo sila at pumupunta sa mga inosente. At kung handa naman silang mamatay at naniniwala sila na pupunta sila sa langit maraming lugar na pwede nilang puntahan na walang mga inosente,” Mujiv said. (My challenge to them is, if they are really that brave as they claimed to be, they should spare civilians from the war and engage the military face to face. And if they are prepared to die and believe that they will go to heaven, then there are areas where they can fight the military and no innocent lives are at stake.)

 Meanwhile, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman revealed that in terms of security, the local government is implementing the next level of campaign versus terrorism in the province.

“Before the bandits were occupying a certain area, but now they are on the run because of the relentless military operations,” Salliman said.

While strengthening the security measures in Baguindan and neighboring barangays in Tipo-Tipo, the local government will also pursue socio-economic activities, build infrastructures, and establish political stability and local governance.

“For so long Baguindan has been a symbol of lawlessness in Basilan. [Now] the local government has resolved that steps will be undertaken so that the institution of government is felt by the people of Baguindan,” Salliman said.

He assured the government would start developing Baguindan, Bohe Piang, and Silangkum areas in Tipo-Tipo. Barangay Captain Bisahri Hantian was grateful for the government efforts to rebuild his village, as “people have longed to go back and live a normal life.”

However, many of the villagers are still afraid to go back to the area until the peace and order situation becomes stable with the hope that the people can rebuild Baguindan in the coming months.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421474993982/gov-t-sets-to-rebuild-conflict-ridden-baguindan-in-basilan