AFP turns over former Abu Sayyaf stronghold to government
September 19, 2016 | 6:18pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The military on Sunday formally turned over a village formerly occupied by the Abu Sayyaf to the local government of Basilan province.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman and local leaders witnessed the ceremony marking the restoration of government authority in Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo.
Residents fled their homes when the Abu Sayyaf built a stronghold on a hill overlooking the village. More were displaced when the military moved to retake the area.
Lt. Col. Ernest John Jadloc, 74th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said troops from the 18th and 64th Infantry Battalions launched the offensive and overran the Abu Sayyaf defensive stronghold on August 12 after a month of fighting.
The operation was part of the government crackdown against the terror group.
The troops were supported and backed up by the local government leaders after Gov. Hataman called on them to unite against the militants.
Jadloc said his battalion and a contingent from the 68th IB will continue to secure the area.
Hataman said the operations are also meant to bring back government authority and social services in areas overrun by the Abu Sayyaf.
ARMM promises projects, programs to pour in
During the ceremony, Hataman called for unity and asked residents to continue to rally for long-lasting peace in the village to prevent the Abu Sayyaf group from spreading terrorism.
The ARMM regional governor assured villagers that government programs and projects will pour in to help the village recover from the conflict.
“It’s about time for this place to receive various programs and projects from the government,” Hataman told villagers.
During the event, Hataman led conducted a People's Day to provide free services such as medical consultation and check-ups, along with the distribution of hygiene kits.
Hataman was assisted by his Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., Anak Mindanao partylist (AMIN) Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman and other ARMM officials.
Hataman and the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) provided relief packs to 1,574 families in Barangay Baguindan and Barangay Silangkum, Al-Barka town.
Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul thanked the government and military for restoring the village and flushing out the Abu Sayyaf group. He said that the terrorist group's presence had prevented the local government from providing services to Barangay Baguindan.
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