AFP, PTF-ELCAC launch ‘Road to Tourism’ program in Sulu
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its partner agencies launched in Sulu on Tuesday the “Road to Tourism” program, a grand plan that will promote the province’s local tourism by addressing peace and order and ensure its continued development.
Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division commander Major Ignatius Patrimonio witnessed the launching of the program, which is a convergence of efforts by the local military, Sulu’s provincial task force on ending local armed conf lict (PTFELCAC) and other agencies from both public and private sectors.
The incoming secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) has earlier broached the idea of promoting Mindanao as a tourism area, a proposal which due criticisms due to the region’s peace and order concern brought mainly by lawless groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Sulu’s beauty, including its pristine beaches has kept hidden from the public for decades, overshadowed mainly by reports of lawlessness and terrorism in the province. But Sulu’s security situation and even its development have already improved.
During the project’s launching, Patrimonio said the Road to Tourism program is a process of achieving lasting peace and maintaining it is not solely a military centric solution, but a shared responsibility.
On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, commander of 1101st Infantry Brigade said the 2nd Special Forces Battalion of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu led by Lt. Col. Benito Ramos, in collaboration with the municipal task force of Parang town, orchestrated the program intended for the sustainment of support to ASG returnees and at the same time, promoting local tourism in Sulu.
Almost, if not all of the municipalities of the province, have been cleared of ASG presence as a result of the steady surrender and neutralization of the group’s leaders and members.
Through the PTF-ELAC, 30 ASG returnees, who were present during the program, received additional support such as sacks of rice and various grocery items. The same sustainment support will be given to 150 ASG returnees in Parang that surrendered since 2017.
In a testimony, a former ASG member who surrendered in 2018, shared his life-changing story, a life when he was with the armed group, always on the run, often-experienced starvation and longed for his family and to his peaceful life today.
Parang Vice Mayor Madzhar Loong reminisced about the past situation in their municipality when the community hoped for peace and order due to rampant proliferation of lawlessness.
He said the situation has changed drastically through the genuine partnership of the local government and security sectors that made the security situation in Sulu improved.