Sulu town declared as ASG-free

From Sun Star-Zamboanga (Aug 28, 2023): Sulu town declared as ASG-free

ZAMBOANGA. Parang, a second-class town in the province of Sulu, is now Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)-free municipality. A photo handout shows military, police and municipal government officials as well as representatives of different sectors in a meeting on Friday, August 25, 2023, where they adopted a resolution declaring Parang an ASG-free town. (SunStar Zamboanga)

THE municipality of Parang is now Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)-free, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported Monday, August 28, 2023.

The Westmincom said this came after the series of successful combat and non-combat operations of the military, coupled with the peace efforts of the municipal government, other security agencies, and the communities.

The Westmincom said the declaration was made through a resolution during a meeting of top military, police and government officials in Lupah Abu in Parangon Friday afternoon, August 25.

Among those who attended the meeting were Parang Mayor Alkhadar Loong; Vice-Mayor Madzhar Loong; Brigadier General Eugenio Boguio, commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Ray De Lima, 41st Infantry Battalion commander; and, other military and police officials.

Boquio said the successful clearing of Parang from the traces of terrorism is the driver to boost tourism and the head start for further development in the town.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Roy Galido, commander of Westmincom, extended his congratulations to the different agencies who contributed to achieving an ASG-free municipality.

Galido also commended the military troops for a job well-done.

“This bespeak well of our strong collaboration and solidarity,” Galido added.

Parang, which is politically divided into 40 villages, is a second-class town in the province of Sulu with a population of 71,495 as of the 2020 census.(SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1971090/zamboanga/local-news/sulu-town-declared-as-asg-free