Kalinaw News: IDPs of Talipao return home after 2 decades

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 10, 2021): IDPs of Talipao return home after 2 decades

Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Yesterday, 441 internally displaced persons (IDP) of Bud Bunga, Talipao, Sulu officially returned to their homes, which they have left in 2001 due to armed conflict caused by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Their safe return was made possible by the Balik Barangay Program (BBP)—an initiative of the local government of Sulu in partnership with the Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division led by Major General Willliam N Gonzales. MGen Gonzales and Talipao Mayor Nivocadnezar Tulawie officiated the BBP today, April 8, 2021, at the newly constructed Multi-Purpose Hall at Sitio Larangan, Brgy Bud Bunga, Talipao. Other line government agencies and non-government organizations were also present, with a mission to assist the IDPs including the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC).

According to MDRRMC Officer Alkisar Alih, the residents were left with no choice but to evacuate due to the violent attacks and threats posed by the ASG. “Before the 2000 Sipadan Kidnappings, 300 families reside in this barangay but due to ongoing conflict they were forced to leave in 2001. After that, the residents built shelters that they could temporarily use during the harvest season, but these too were also destroyed. Since 2014, this village became a no man’s land,” Mr Alih said.

Mr. Nonong Sadji Titing, 28 years old and an IDP from Brgy Bud Bunga, expressed his gratitude to the local government and military forces for ensuring their return to their homeland. “Halos 20 taon na ang nakakaraan, tanda ko pa po yung pangyayari. Ako po ay walong taong gulang, at hila-hila ko po yung bunsong kapatid ko noong kami ay nagpasyang lumikas kasama yung mga magulang ko at mga residente dito. Nagpasya kaming umalis at iwanan yung lupain namin sapagkat ayaw naming madamay sa kaguluhan. Kaya’t kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating pamahalaan sa pangunguna ni Governor Sakur Tan at saka sa mga sundalo. Kung wala po kaming sundalo na kasama rito, hindi po kami bastang babalik. Ngayon po makakapagsimula na kami ulit sa sarili naming lupain,” he said.

“I was told that trails going to this area can barely be used as thick vegetation has taken over. I tapped our 545th Engineer Battalion to employ their grader tractor and other heavy equipment to help clear out the roads. We are here not just to secure you from peace spoilers, but also to be active partners in rehabilitating and developing Brgy Bud Bunga,” MGen Gonzales shared during his speech.

Meanwhile, 1101st Infantry Brigade Commander Col Antonio Bautista Jr. highlighted that a CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) Company will be stationed near the community to ensure their safety. Accordingly, the CAFGU to be assigned at the company who will soon undergo training are purely composed of Talipao-based civilian volunteers.

Further, the 2nd Special Forces Battalion led by Ltc Jooney Jay Businos will be directly in charge of said CAA Company, which is crucial as So Larangan is 5 kilometers into the hinterlands from the main road.

“In Patikul, we have facilitated BBPs, wherein we helped IDPs who were displaced for three to five years, return to their villages. Here in Bud Bunga, they have been away for 20 years. Those long years must have been traumatic for them that is why we are doing our best to assist these residents so they can rebuild their lives. In line with this, we are on the final straw with our fight against terrorism in the province of Sulu. The ASG’s strength is continuously dwindling, they will soon be irrelevant, and all of us can finally focus on building a brighter future for our families,” MGen Gonzales emphasized.

To note, the government of Sulu has been implementing the BBP since 2019. Aside from the BBPs accomplishment in Bud Bunga, Talipao, the program was also able to lead back IDPs from six barangays in Patikul to their respective lands.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/idps-of-talipao-return-home-after-2-decades/