1st in history: Sulu records ‘zero violence’ during polls

SULU made history in this year’s national and local elections as the province, widely known as the base of Islamic militants and terrorist groups, recorded not a single case of violence related to the political exercise.

According to Major Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu and the 11th Infantry Division, the May 9 elections was the “most peaceful and orderly” in the history of elections in Sulu.

“We are happy and proud to say that the election in Sulu is successful with zero election-related violent incidents. In all areas we were deployed, elections went on smoothly as scheduled and planned,” Patrimonio said.

“The presence of the security forces has provided confidence to our people to vote and prevented those who have planned to conduct atrocities. This is remarkably the most peaceful election in the history of Sulu,” he stressed.

Sulu is known as the base of various terrorist groups operating in Mindanao, including the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Islamic State which has allied with other extremist groups in other parts of the region, including Central and Northern Mindanao.

The ASG, which is in existence since the early 1990s, is already on the decline in Mindanao and has retreated to Sulu, where its activities have been checked by the military as a result of the decimation of its leadership, especially its hard-core leaders.

Patrimonio said Sulu’s overall security has improved a lot, and this was mainly due to the effort of the military and the strong collaboration among security forces, local officials and residents.

The government’s campaign against violent extremism began in Sulu to stem the spate of suicide bombings and terrorist recruitment during the past years, and the program was being sustained to this day.

“Malaki na ang pinagbago ng security landscape ng Sulu. Although there were three minor incidents, our troops and police counterparts were able to respond immediately and were able to stabilize the situation in those areas. Mga minor na alitan lang at suntukan ang nangyari. So, generally, the election in Sulu is very peaceful and orderly,” Patrimonio said.

“The success of the election in Sulu is attributed to the commitment and sacrifices of our men and women of JTF Sulu with the relentless support of the Commission on Elections [Comelec] led by Atty. Untog Tago, police counterparts under Police Col. Jaime Mojica, partner stakeholders, and most of all, the people of Sulu who have proven that peaceful and orderly election is possible,” the commander added.

The JTF Sulu, as deputized by the Comelec, deployed a total of 2,976 soldiers with 168 officers, 2,808 personnel, and 125 reserve troops for election duties across Sulu.