From MindaNews (Jan 17, 2022): PH Navy brings aid to Bajau community in border island (By FRENCIE CARREON)
The Philippine Navy has conducted a humanitarian mission to Panguan Island, which is populated by the Sama Bajau ethnic tribe and the country’s last frontier with neighboring Malaysia, officials said.
A Sama Bajau family receives goods and potable water from sailors of BRP Andres Bonifacio when the latter sailed to Panguan Island in Simunul, TawiTawi. Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Western Mindanao
Panguan Island is part of Sitangkai town in Tawi-Tawi, one of the provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, described Panguan Island as a “crucial and strategic location” for the country, being the border of the Philippines with Malaysia’s State of Sabah.
THE NFWM deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio on January 14 to 15 to the island to deliver goods, potable water, medicines and other health care services to the residents there.
“We extended basic services and humanitarian assistance to the farthest areas of the country to support the socio-economic development efforts of the government,” Adaci said.
The official said the NFWM constantly deploys its naval assets in its jurisdiction to secure the country’s maritime domain, deter illegal maritime activities and respond to emergencies at sea.
The NFWM established a marine detachment in Panguan Island in 2016 to secure it from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless groups, which previously used the island as a “logistics hub” for their smuggling and other piracy activities.
Lieutenant Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM public affairs officer, said the humanitarian mission in Panguan Island was part of the sovereignty patrol conducted by BRP Andres Bonifacio, which is under the Naval Force 61, in the Tawi-Tawi group of islands.
Due to its remote location, Panguan Island lacks regular access to potable water, health care services and other basic commodities, Cabaltera said.
Panguan Island is also serving as a resting place and resupply area for local seafarers, he said.
The Navy’s gesture of support, no matter how small, could mean a lot to the people of Panguan Island who are miles away from the seat of government and whose daily lives revolve around a small (only 0.06 square kilometers) but highly strategic piece of Philippine territory, Cabaltera said.
Apart from preserving the integrity of the country’s territory, the Navy’s mandate also includes “protecting every Filipino even in the most isolated islands of the Philippine archipelago, he added. (Frencie Carreon / MindaNews)
Panguan Island is part of Sitangkai town in Tawi-Tawi, one of the provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, described Panguan Island as a “crucial and strategic location” for the country, being the border of the Philippines with Malaysia’s State of Sabah.
THE NFWM deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio on January 14 to 15 to the island to deliver goods, potable water, medicines and other health care services to the residents there.
“We extended basic services and humanitarian assistance to the farthest areas of the country to support the socio-economic development efforts of the government,” Adaci said.
The official said the NFWM constantly deploys its naval assets in its jurisdiction to secure the country’s maritime domain, deter illegal maritime activities and respond to emergencies at sea.
The NFWM established a marine detachment in Panguan Island in 2016 to secure it from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless groups, which previously used the island as a “logistics hub” for their smuggling and other piracy activities.
Lieutenant Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM public affairs officer, said the humanitarian mission in Panguan Island was part of the sovereignty patrol conducted by BRP Andres Bonifacio, which is under the Naval Force 61, in the Tawi-Tawi group of islands.
Due to its remote location, Panguan Island lacks regular access to potable water, health care services and other basic commodities, Cabaltera said.
Panguan Island is also serving as a resting place and resupply area for local seafarers, he said.
The Navy’s gesture of support, no matter how small, could mean a lot to the people of Panguan Island who are miles away from the seat of government and whose daily lives revolve around a small (only 0.06 square kilometers) but highly strategic piece of Philippine territory, Cabaltera said.
Apart from preserving the integrity of the country’s territory, the Navy’s mandate also includes “protecting every Filipino even in the most isolated islands of the Philippine archipelago, he added. (Frencie Carreon / MindaNews)
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/ph-navy-brings-aid-to-bajau-community-in-border-island/
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