Sulu turns page from decades of conflict

For decades, Sulu was known for armed conflict and insecurity.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebellion in the 1970s, including the devastating 1974 siege of Jolo, was followed by years of armed violence. By the start of the new millennium, the province had also become associated with a wave of kidnappings carried out by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), including the 2000 abduction of 21 people from Sipadan, Malaysia, who were brought to Sulu.

But local officials now say Sulu is turning the page.

The provincial government on Thursday formally declared the province under a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) condition, saying armed threats have been significantly reduced and that all 19 municipalities have been declared free of Abu Sayyaf presence.

Governor Abdusakur “Toto” Tan II said the declaration followed assessments and validation by the military, police and other government agencies.

The declaration was witnessed by Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael “Raffy” Alunan III, and officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a symbolic gesture, participants in the celebration, together with local officials from the province’s 19 municipalities, released doves and balloons into the sky.

Provincial Peace and Order Council Resolution No. 3, read by DILG Sulu Provincial Director Emini Kadiri, affirmed that insurgent formations in the province had been dismantled and degraded to a non-threat level.

“I am experiencing it, I’m seeing it, and I’m glad that our people are enjoying the peace that we have today,” Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan said.

As part of the province’s efforts to sustain its peace gains, civilians, local politicians and tribal leaders have voluntarily surrendered hundreds of firearms to authorities.

Among the weapons turned over were mortars, grenade launchers and .50-caliber Barrett rifles, some of which had been used in armed violence in the province over the past several decades.

The province has also seen an increase in the number of gun owners registering their firearms, according to Governor Tan, who said Sulu is determined to move away from the culture of armed conflict that had long shaped its image.

“Nakilala ang aming probinsiya bilang isa sa pinakamagulong probinsiya sa buong mundo siguro kasi nakakarating ang balita hanggang sa ibang bansa,” Governor Tan said.

(Our province became known as one of the most troubled provinces in the world, perhaps because the news about it reached other countries.)

He said the surrender of firearms reflects a change in how people now view security and development.

“Gusto naming ipakita ngayon na yung pagdadala ng armas noong araw na hindi namin maiwan-iwanan ay naging irrelevant na sa aming pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay,” he said. “We wanted more development to come. Ika nga, when there’s peace, comes development.”

(We want to show now that carrying firearms, which was something we could not leave behind in the past, has become irrelevant to our daily lives. We want more development to come. As they say, when there is peace, there is development.)

With the improved security situation, provincial officials say Sulu is now ready to attract more visitors and investors.

Resorts are emerging along the province’s white-sand beaches, including areas that were previously difficult to access because of the presence of armed groups.

In Luuk, a municipality that had previously been affected by Abu Sayyaf activities, the military is planning to establish a division-level headquarters and a logistics hub for the Philippine Navy.

Three parcels of land totaling 58 hectares have been donated to the AFP for the planned facilities.

One of them is Camp AKA, donated to the military by former Luuk Mayor Abdurahman K. Arbison. Teodoro unveiled a marker commemorating the donation.

“Mamanmanan natin na walang manggulo sa patuloy na development dito sa lugar para maging model community ang lalawigan ng Sulu,” Teodoro told troops at Camp AKA.

(We will continue to monitor the area to ensure that no one disrupts the ongoing development so that Sulu can become a model community.)

“Matagal na nating ipinaglalaban ito, ngayon kitang-kita na natin yung dividend. Kung bibitaw tayo, mag-relax tayo, baka mawala pa ’yan. Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang bantay.”

(We have been fighting for this for a long time, and now we can clearly see the dividends. If we let our guard down or become complacent, we could lose what we have gained. So we must continue to remain vigilant.) — VBL, GMA News