Kalinaw News: Sulu Task-Force ELAC turns over Infrastructure Projects to form IDPs

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 11, 2021): Sulu Task-Force ELAC turns over Infrastructure Projects to form IDPs



August 11, 2021-Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu- Yesterday, the Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC), composed of government officials including the military, turned over Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects to former Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Brgy Kabbon Takas, Patikul, Sulu.

“Bago natin ibinalik ang mga bakwit ng Kabbon Takas noong Nobyembre 2020, ghost town ang lugar na ito. Ang nangyari, nagtulungan ang military at LGU sa ilalim ng PTF-ELAC kaya Ilang buwan pa lang, mayabong na ang komunidad natin. Ngayon naman – dahil sa DPWH IX sa pamumuno ni Engr Nonoy Pawaki – may kalsada tayo, covered court at solar na street lights. Lahat yan nagawa natin sa in less than a year,” said Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini during his speech.

To recall, residents of Brgy Kabbon Takas were forced to leave their land in 2017 due to the presence of terror group Abu Sayyaf.

“Takot na takot po kami noong panahon na ‘yon, puro barilan. Ang elementary school ho namin natad-tad ng bala at nasunog pa ang bubong. Masakit ho sa loob namin dahil pinakalat pa ng Abu Sayyaf ang video ng kung anong ginagawa nila doon sa lugar namin. Buti ho ngayon naayos na ang eskuwelahan at may kalsada, court at ilaw na rin sa barangay. Hindi na ho kami bakwit, hindi na ho kami patago-tago. Ang matatanda nakakapag-harvest na, ang mga bata naman naglalaro,” shared Brgy Chairman Ahajuli Ahajani.

For his part, 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen William N Gonzales wholeheartedly extended his gratitude towards all government units and agencies which are exerting all efforts in making Patikul communities less vulnerable to ASG influence.

“Karangalan po namin ang maging parte ng adhikaing ito at hindi po kami mapapagod na magtrabaho para sa maliwanag na kinabukasan ng Patikul. Nagpapasalamat ho kami at mapakarami naming katuwang. Ngayong nakikita natin ang mga proyekto ng gobyerno, ngayong naririto na ang opurtunidad para sa mas maunlad na buhay, ano pa ang ipinaglalaban grupong Abu Sayyaf,” MGen Gonzales said.

To note, MGen Gonzales tasked the 6th Special Forces Battalion to secure aforementioned barangay by establishing a patrol base in the area. Hence, the residents and the troops are hand in hand in resolving challenges in security and other matters.

Present during the ceremony were 1102nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Benjamin Batara Jr., DPWH IX Engr. Nonoy A Pawaki and Ministry of Public Works and Highways Sulu 1st District Engr. Ajan S Ajijul and 6th Special Forces Battalion Commander Ltc Rafael P Caido.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/sulu-task-force-elac-turns-over-infrastructure-projects-to-form-idps/