SULU - BATTLEGROUND FOR PEACE, JUSTICE & DEVELOPMENT (June 26, 2009)

To the Tausugs, It wouldn’t be fair to portray still the Philippine Marines Battalion Landing Team in Sulu as obsessed warmongers. For almost four decades in the killing fields, Marines assigned in Sulu has so much to tell about the painful chronicles of war befell the Bangsamoro homeland and the Semper Fi.

For decades, Tausugs yearn that to attain peace in Sulu, justice and development must reign instead of Government spending billions of pesos for war machines, bombs and bullets just to neutralize a lawless few.

Realizing war begets war as love begets love, upon his designation as Joint Task Force Comet Commander, Major General Juancho M. Sabban begun a challenging campaign to change the impression of distrust of the Tausugs towards the military in general. Through Peace, Justice and Development, this sets his new battle ground.

Consonant to this rallying call, the Honorable Vice Governor of Sulu Madam Lady-Ann I. Sahidulla is pleased that the military can now help her as partners in reaching out to develop Sulu. Thus, with the vice governor’s and the good general’s initiatives, a number of infrastructure projects were implemented, books and chairs for schools have been donated and medical outreach missions were launched throughout the province.

Barangay Taglibi Turn-Over Ceremony

Crowd of pupils, teachers, local officials and guests gather at the Datu Uddin Bahjin Elementary School anxiously waiting for the arrival of Vice Governor Sahidulla, MGen. Sabban, and their group. Truly, it is a big day for the School. A Library complete with books, A Day Care Center, and desktop computers will be turned over to DUBES.

As they arrived, cheers and delight from the crowd welcomes them. Mrs. Lina Asjali, Principal of the School officially took the lead in accepting the donation from Vice Governor Sahidulla, MGen. Sabban, and Mr. Andy De Rosi – President of 3Ps Foundation.

Also there to witness the turn-over ceremony are BGen. Eugenio N. Clemen – Commanding Officer of 3rd Marine Brigade, Lt.Col. Ferdinand Fraginal, Hon. Akam Ajijul – Patikul Municipal Councilor, Mrs. Kamratul Sakkam – OIC Principal of Patikul National High School, and other guests.

Barangay Tugas Turn-Over Ceremony

Vice Governor Sahidulla, MGen. Sabban, and Mr. Andy De Rosi officially turned over the new armchairs, school desks, and computers as part of the “Books for the Barrio” project of 3MBE/MBLT5 in partnership with the US Government, 3Ps Foundation and the Office of the Vice Governor.
District Supervisor Mr. Alvarez Salaton and Tugas Elementary School Principal Mrs. Nurulhisan Uddin enthusiastically accepted the donation.

“Cow for Peace” project was also launched by MBLT5 in the said occasion. A number of cows were also turned over to the beneficiaries addressing livelihood for the community.  Witnessing the ceremony are the Barangay Officials of Barangay Tugas and its locals.

Before the ceremony ended, Vice Governor Sahidulla said, “Just merely killing the enemy of the state doesn’t address the insurgency. We must concentrate within the core, and that is our people. Give them clean water, access to health centers, let our children go to school, and assist them through livelihood programs. This way, we will win the war against solitude. Hence, dealing with the battle ground for peace, justice and development.”

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