Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – Once infiltrated by IS-inspired terrorists, Sulu province was declared ASG-free during the 3rd Quarter 2023 Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held at Sumadja Hall, SACC Building, Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu last week.
The Sulu Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) declared Sulu as an ASG-free province in the presence of the mayors of the 19 municipalities of Sulu, Sulu Provincial Police Office Director Police Col. Narciso Paragas, the commanders of all the military brigades and battalions based in Sulu, and the staff officers of Joint Task Force Sulu.
In his message, the PPOC Chairperson and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said, “It is my great pleasure and immense pride to declare the Province of Sulu as ASG-Free.
This event marks a significant accomplishment in our never-ending quest for stability, security, and peace. With the support of our security sector and the community, we can see the improvement in our province. It is the indicator that there is harmony, so we came up with the agreement that Sulu will be declared ASG-free. Let us continue to cooperate to create a community that respects harmony, diversity, and development.”
Joint Task Force Sulu Commander, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio said that before the declaration, the armed forces successfully cleared the 52 ASG-affected barangays through peace efforts that convinced 966 ASG personalities to voluntarily surrender and turn over a total of 599 assorted firearms.
It can be recalled that prior to the declaration of Sulu as ASG-Free, the local chief executives of the 19 municipalities of the province already declared their respective towns ASG-Free.
The newly installed commander of the Western Mindanao Command, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo expressed his elation on this declaration because this signifies a new beginning and better opportunities.
“This new page in the history of Sulu opens new doors for development. I am honored that this significant event is very timely as we continue our quest for peace, security, and development,” Maj. Gen. Crespillo said.
“Rest assured that we will continue to work doubly to sustain the peace and make Sulu a place conducive for economic development,” the WestMinCom Commander added.
