8 Sulu villages cleared from Sayyaf influence

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf which Gov. Sakur Tan said was largely due to the concerted efforts of the local and regional governments, the police and military.

Tan also signed Wednesday the certification clearing the following villages from the Abu Sayyaf influence – Timpuuk, Igasan, Kabbun Takas, Liang and Kan Ague, all in Patikul town; and Masjid Punjungan in Kalinggalan Caluang town; Tayungan in Panamao town and Bagsak in Talipao town. 

The villages were formerly strongholds of the notorious militant group whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. 

Sulu provincial government photos show Gov. Sakur Tan signing Wednesday, January 19, 2022 the certification clearing eight villages in four towns from Abu Sayyaf influence. 

Tan said the cooperation of the citizens and the efforts of various stakeholders resulted in the stable peace and order in the four towns. He said the success of the Community Support Program (CSP) played a key role in achieving peace not only in the four towns, but the province as well. 

CSP is a flagship program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines used to clear communities of rebel infestation while neutralizing the politics-military structure the rebels established in the villages. It involves immersion of personnel in the identified barangays and the conduct of various community engagements geared towards addressing the needs of the people. 

“The result of (this successful program which cleared the eight villages) was a product of concerted efforts of the AFP, PNP, MILG, and the Province of Sulu after a year-long CSP program, and the succeeding CSP area clearing validation board meeting conducted last December 21,” Tan said after signing the certification which cleared the villages. 

The certification, Tan said, prepares the villages to be recipients of concrete development efforts and initiatives from the provincial and national government. 

Brig. Gen.  Antonio Bautista Jr, the Assistant Commander of the 11^th Infantry Division; Cols. Jose Emmanuel Mariano, Gregorio Nieveras and Christopher Tampus; and Capt. Joshua Barrio witnessed the signing of the certification held at the Capitol. 

Sulu has previously declared the Abu Sayyaf and its supporters as “persona non grata” and Tan ordered the creation of the Provincial and Municipal Task Forces to End Local Armed Conflict in support of the government peace and development efforts in the South.

The total number of Abu Sayyaf fighters who surrendered in Sulu the past decade was not immediately available, but based on military press releases this may have reached thousands and most of them were either living peacefully as civilians or working alongside soldiers as government militias. (Mindanao Examiner)