Troopers, ex-Abu Sayyaf rebels build water tank in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 2, 2022): Troopers, ex-Abu Sayyaf rebels build water tank in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

The Army’s 6th Special Forces Company (6SFC) has initiated the construction of a 10,000-liter concrete water tank to provide a stable water supply to a former bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.

Capt. Ron Villarosa, 6SFC commander, said Saturday the project, which is set to finish on April 10, is located in Sitio Banglot, Barangay Upper Sinumaan, Talipao, Sulu.

Villarosa said the project was being undertaken jointly by 6SFC personnel, militiamen, including ASG surrenderers.

“This (project) is to tighten our grip in the community and to develop it to be a resilient community to deter violent extremism,” Villarosa said in a phone interview.

He said they were able to take control of the place in November last year after months of mass base operations.

“No project is implemented in Sitio Banglot since the ASG is in control of the place,” he said.

He said that Mary Joy Bustamante of MJB Cares Foundation donated PHP30,000 cash for the project.

Counterpart water hoses were provided by Talipao Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (MTF ELAC), while the Sulu office of the Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) enrolled the workers under their Food-For-Work Program.

The MTF-ELAC is Sulu’s counterpart to the national government’s Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).

Villarosa said the project is implemented through the direction of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, which is under the operational control of the 1101st Infantry Brigade.

“This is the change we are looking for. Through this water tank, we can properly cleanse ourselves before praying,” Abu Mawang, who is among the former ASG working on the project, said in a statement.

“We can also plant vegetables since water will now be available", he added.

Before praying, Muslims perform "Wudu", a ceremony that includes the washing of hands, face, and feet, and the availability of water will strengthen this religious practice.

Villarosa said the completion of the project will help expand socio-economic opportunities, such as vegetable farming, due to the availability of sustainable and reliable water supply.

Aside from Sitio Banglot, 11 other sitios of Barangay Upper Sinumaan, Talipao, will benefit from the project once completed.

The last concrete water tank catering to the residents of Barangay Sinumaan was constructed during the 1970s. The tank has only 500 liters capacity.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171267