From the Philippine Star (Aug 23, 2023): ‘Sulu can be declared Abu Sayyaf-free’ (Roel Pareño)
This was the recommendation of an area clearing validation board (ACVB), which Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan Sr. approved on Monday, noting that the remaining four barangays in Indanan as well as the island towns of Pandami and Siasi have been freed of Abu Sayyaf presence and influence.
STAR / File
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The entire province of Sulu can now be declared free of Abu Sayyaf bandits.
This was the recommendation of an area clearing validation board (ACVB), which Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan Sr. approved on Monday, noting that the remaining four barangays in Indanan as well as the island towns of Pandami and Siasi have been freed of Abu Sayyaf presence and influence.
The ACVB is a monitoring body chaired by Tan and co-chaired by 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, with representatives from the Philippine National Police, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict as members.
Last month, the military declared Omar town as Abu Sayyaf-free. This was after the followers of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsy Misaya, who was tagged in cross-border kidnappings, surrendered.
Tan commended the military for its campaign against violent extremism in Sulu, said to be the last bastion of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Mindanao.
He said Sulu has experienced security stability in the past two years.
Security forces recorded 52 barangays that had been influenced by Abu Sayyaf bandits as of 2021.
Col. Alaric Avelino delos Santos, 11th ID civil-military operations chief, said 17 towns on the main island and two island towns in Sulu have been cleared of the influence of Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Delos Santos said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is expected to formally declare Sulu as Abu Sayyaf-free during his visit next month.
Patrimonio said the declaration is an indication that the military’s peace and security campaign has been effective and is on the right track.
“We are hopeful that our efforts and commitment will pave the way for the inclusive peace and development in the province of Sulu,” he said in a statement.
STAR / File
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The entire province of Sulu can now be declared free of Abu Sayyaf bandits.
This was the recommendation of an area clearing validation board (ACVB), which Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan Sr. approved on Monday, noting that the remaining four barangays in Indanan as well as the island towns of Pandami and Siasi have been freed of Abu Sayyaf presence and influence.
The ACVB is a monitoring body chaired by Tan and co-chaired by 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, with representatives from the Philippine National Police, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict as members.
Last month, the military declared Omar town as Abu Sayyaf-free. This was after the followers of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsy Misaya, who was tagged in cross-border kidnappings, surrendered.
Tan commended the military for its campaign against violent extremism in Sulu, said to be the last bastion of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Mindanao.
He said Sulu has experienced security stability in the past two years.
Security forces recorded 52 barangays that had been influenced by Abu Sayyaf bandits as of 2021.
Col. Alaric Avelino delos Santos, 11th ID civil-military operations chief, said 17 towns on the main island and two island towns in Sulu have been cleared of the influence of Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Delos Santos said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is expected to formally declare Sulu as Abu Sayyaf-free during his visit next month.
Patrimonio said the declaration is an indication that the military’s peace and security campaign has been effective and is on the right track.
“We are hopeful that our efforts and commitment will pave the way for the inclusive peace and development in the province of Sulu,” he said in a statement.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/08/23/2290616/sulu-can-be-declared-abu-sayyaf-free
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