Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 9, 2021): Agri-Business Project in Sulu Help Former ASG Members Rebuild Lives
11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division
AGRI-BUSINESS PROJECT IN SULU HELP FORMER ASG MEMBERS
REBUILD LIVES
March 07, 2020, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu— Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen William N Gonzales witnessed the the 4th harvesting season/process of the “Kapatid for Agri-Bounty Fresh Poultry Farm”, a livelihood project for former Abu Sayyaf Group members and residents of Barangay Tukay, Parang, Sulu.
The event was also witnessed by 11th ID Assistant Division Commander BGen Manuel Sequitin and 1101st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Antonio I Bautista Jr., 1102nd Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Taharudin P Ampatuan, and Bountry Fresh representative Mr Mark Pagente.
The agribusiness project, mainly aimed at providing the former rebels a new chance at life, was initiated by the 2nd Special Forces Battalion and the local government unit represented by Hon. Madzhar T Loong Vice Mayor of Parang, in collaboration with non-government organization Go Negosyo and Bounty Fresh, a private company.
According to 2nd Special Forces Battalion Commander Ltc Jooney Jay R Businos, the farm was formally launched in December 2018/became fully operational in 2019. “The purpose of the agribusiness project is to uplift the lives ASG returnees as well as CAAs (CAFGU Active Auxiliary) and other residents of Brgy Tukay by providing them livelihood and helping them lead a more productive life. So far, we have five returnees who are working full time at the farm.”
“Meanwhile, 71 other former ASG members benefit from the project during harvest season, when the poultry farm requires more people as the livestock undergoes several stages of treatment before it is transported to buyers” Businos added.
Notably, among the rebel returnees currently employed at the farm is Mario (not his real name) a former member under the group of deceased ASG sub-leader Sibih Pisih. In an interview, Mario narrated that his former group was sometimes involved in kidnapping activities. “Napilitan talaga akong sumama noong panahon dahil sa rido. Marami kaming mga kamag anak ko na lalaki ang napilitan na sumama na lang sa Abu Sayyaf,” he said in the vernacular. When asked how he sustains his family he admitted that he sometimes receives money worth around two thousand pesos whenever the group is able to conduct kidnapping. Now, he and his wife are able to work on the poultry farm.
“CAA din ako, may allowance kami doon. Tapos sa pountry naman may six thousand pesos ako kada buwan. Di hamak na mas nakakaluwag kami ng pamilya ko kaysa noong nasa grupo ako ng Abu Sayyaf. Dun, minsan ko lang makita ang pamilya ko at napipilitan pa akong maugnay sa kidnapping,” Mario further narrated.
During the event, MGen William N Gonzales expressed his gratitude to all involved individuals who are operating the ‘Kapatid Agri-Bounty Fresh Poultry Farm’.
“I personally thank all of you for working on this initiative. And I also recognize our returnees who decided to actively participate in this agri-business and choose a life of peace. I tasked my staff to conduct an in-depth study as to how we can replicate this model poultry farm that you have started here.
“The success of this project proves that we, the government, especially with the help of the NGO’s, the private sector, and residents of the community, can work together towards building a better and peaceful future for Sulu” Gonzales added.
https://www.facebook.com/KutaHeneralTeodulfoBautistaALAKDAN/photos/pcb.1651301295073500/1651300305073599/
https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/
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