Kalinaw News: Military, PTF-ELAC Launch Road to Tourism Program in Sulu

From Kalinaw News (Jun 29, 2022): Military, PTF-ELAC Launch Road to Tourism Program in Sulu

Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu – June 29, 2022

Maj. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu and 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division witnessed the convergence of efforts program collaborated by the Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC), security sectors and partner agencies dubbed as “Road to Tourism” held at Tandu Beach in Parang, Sulu on June 28, 2022.

During his message, Maj. Gen. Patrimonio emphasized that the road to tourism program is a process of achieving lasting peace and maintaining it is not solely a military centric solution but a shared responsibility. Further, lauded the collaboration of efforts of the local government unit (LGU), security sectors and partner agencies that brought the relative peace Sulu has today.

Moreso, Brig. Gen. Eugenio C. Boquio, Commander of 1101st Infantry Brigade narrated that the 2nd Special Forces Battalion of JTF Sulu led by Lt. Col. Benito Ramos in collaboration with Municipal TF-ELAC of Parang orchestrated the program intended for the sustainment of support to ASG returnees and at the same time promoting local tourism in Sulu.

Through the PTF-ELAC, 30 ASG returnees present during the program received additional support such as sacks of rice and various grocery items. The same sustainment support will be given to 150 ASG returnees in Parang that surrendered since 2017.

In a testimony, a.k.a Daro, a former ASG member who surrendered on 2018 shared his life changing story, a life when he was with the armed group, always on the run, often experienced starvation and longed for his family and to his peaceful life today from his decision of returning to the fold of the law. In his reintegration to the mainstream of society, he further extended gratitude to the military and the LGU for the support and the chance to be with his love one.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Madzhar T. Loong, co-member of MTF-ELAC of Parang reminisced the past situation in their municipality when the community hoped for peace and order due to rampant proliferation of lawlessness and compared how it drastically changed through the genuine partnership of the local government and security sectors that made the security situation in Sulu improved.

The program concluded with a peace covenant signing of the LGU, security sectors, partner agencies and ASG returnees to show their commitment of support to peace and development for the province of Sulu.

Since 2017, a total of 896 ASG members had voluntarily surrendered to JTF Sulu and many of which had already received Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of the LGU’s and subsequently will undergo the process of availing Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

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