New Basilan road brings growth to towns, draws rebels back to mainstream

BASILAN, Philippines - Access to the recently completed Basilan Circumferential Road (BCR) is gradually bringing rebel groups, including members of the Abu Sayyaf, back to the mainstream, according to officials.

The sleepy and impoverished town of Sumisip, which used to be accessible only by heavy equipment owned by a rubber plantation company because of the bad roads, witnessed how rebels groups used to leverage on government neglect by recruiting members, laying ambushes on government forces and kidnapping civilians.

However, with the recent completion of the road, people have started to experience a growth in business activities, opportunities and commuter traffic because Sumisip is now connected to other towns in the province.

The circumferential road was neglected by the past three administrations and was completed with a budget of P1.825 billion during the Aquino administration. President Benigno Aquino III officially inaugurated the road on his visit to the town on Monday.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman hails from the village of Buli-Buli and has witnessed the hardships that Sumisip residents have had to go through.

“The road where the president and I had a brief drive through as part of the ocular inspection used to be a nightmare, especially when it rained because you had to use chained wheels,” Hataman said.

The road project links all eight municipalities and two cities in this province. Hataman said the inauguration of the BCR was historical for Basilan as it did not only ease traffic but also started to open opportunities to residents.

He said the continuing development of the province is also helping ease the fear that has gripped the minds and hearts of some residents.

Hataman said that when they started implementation of the road project that would lead to the feared town of Al-Barka, no constructor was willing to take on the project at first.

He added that on one occasion when the Abu Sayyaf group attempted to sabotage the road project, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) provided security for the project.

He said the MILF and MNLF factions in the area even prevented the contractors from taking the equipment out, thinking it meant work on the road to Al-Barka would no longer continue.

“With this road, the ugly situation will change,” Hataman said, adding kidnappings and ambushes have stopped since the road project was completed.

Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Army's 104th Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Group Basilan, said a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group has even started a transportation business. He did not name the Abu Sayyaf leader, however, saying everyone should have the opportunity to go back to the mainstream.

“Of course, this will not be an overnight thing, but gradually the people [will start] to see the positive opportunity,” Bautista said.