AFP engineering brigade arrives in Sulu

JOLO, SULU — An Armed Forces Engineering Brigade arrived here yesterday to begin the rehabilitation of this war-torn island province and kick off various infrastructure programs of the government.

The development objective will be pursued side-by-side with the security operations to rid the place of outlaws, Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza said.

The 55th Engineering Brigade under Brig. Gen. Sergio Candelario arrived here with their equipment, including two graders, two loaders, two rollers and two bulldozers, aboard naval landing transport ship (LST) 501.

"This age old conflict in Sulu is an eye opener and we cannot allow this situation to continue," Braganza said.

While the military is gaining the upper hand in the offensive against the Misuari Breakaway Group (MBG) and the Abu Sayyaf group, Braganza conceded military action is not the only solution in rehabilitating an impoverished province like Sulu.

He said the arrival of military engineers is part of the long-term development efforts to help rebuild a provinc e besieged by insurgency, terrorism, and neglect from government.

"The arrival of the 55th Engineering Brigade to this province is a road sign of development rather than war," Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong said.

Loong said the military engineers will form part of the Sulu Tabang Operation Center that will respond to the present crisis and the total development of Sulu. — Roel Pareño