GOVERNOR Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) on Sunday, September 18, witnessed the turnover ceremony marking the restoration of government authority in the former stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the village of Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan province.
Hataman called for unity in achieving long lasting peace as he spoke to hundreds of residents present in the event.
“It’s about time for this place (Barangay Baguindan) to receive various programs and projects from the government,” Hataman said as he vowed to pour projects in Baguindan.
“Ang Baguindan ay para sa Baguindan. Nandito kami para protektahan ang mga tao dito,” he added.
Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul expressed gratitude to the government and security forces, who neutralized the lawless elements in their area.
“We will help the people of Baguindan through livelihood projects,” Istarul said.
“Mabayah kami sanyang lahat kami (We want our place to be a peaceful one),” Bisahari Hantian, Baguindan barangay chairperson said in Yakan, the local dialect.
Saida Abubakar, 57, a resident of the Baguindan, said that they are glad that the government never forgot them throughout the ordeal.
“Sana po ito na talaga ang umpisa ng pagbangon ng lugar namin. Sapat na po ang mahigit 40 years na pauli-ulit kaming nag-eevacuate,” Abubakar added.
Lieutenant Colonel Ernest John Jadloc, Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the camp was seized after a month of offensive against the Abu Sayyaf bandits by joint forces of his battalion, 18th IB, 64th IB, Scout Rangers, and Special Forces.
Jadloc said the offensive was also meant to bring back government authority and social services in areas occupied by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
The Armm regional government, in partnership with the provincial government, conducted a People’s Day to provide free services such as medical consultation and check-ups, along with the distribution of hygiene kits.
Present during the event were Armm Regional Vice-Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Saliman, Anak Mindanao Partylist Representative Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, and other Armm, military and police officials.
Armm’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team has distributed relief packs to 1,574 families in the villages of Baguindan and Silangkum and in the nearby town of Al-Barka. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)