Tawi-Tawi Province News October 2011

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‘Surgical strike’ backed

By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco


MUSLIM lawmakers yesterday strongly endorsed surgical strike against perpetrators of the series of fatal attacks on government forces, but rejected all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as this would endanger the lives of innocent people.

In a press conference, Tawi-Tawi Rep. Nur Jaafar said “a surgical operation should be adopted against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. We have to unleash the full might of our law.”

Jaafar stressed that a surgical operation “can be done with good intelligence report with the cooperation of the local authorities. In this way, civilians won’t suffer. We don’t want an all-out war because we know the collateral damage – non-combatants and civilians.”

He sought the review of the existing ceasefire agreement with the MILF which he said is “duty-bound to police their ranks so that these untoward incidents won’t happen again.”

“The provisions on disciplining their (MILF) ranks must be included in the ceasefire agreement, so that other groups won’t be able to use them (as shields from liability),” he said.

In the same press conference, Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman urged the MILF leadership to turn over the violators of the ceasefire agreement “to complement the efforts of the government.”

“The GPH and the MILF should discuss how to deal with these perpetrators,” he said. “Such provisions should be in the ceasefire agreement.”

House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman urged President Benigno Aquino III to “convene soonest the National Security Council (NSC) to rationally and effectively address the escalating carnage being repeatedly committed by MILF rebels against government soldiers and civilians.”

“The President must not rely on the bungling assessment of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the amateurish pronouncements of Presidential spokespersons,” said Lagman.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez filed House Resolution No. 1841 calling on the House Committee on National Defense and Security to investigate the effects of Al-Barka incident to the peace negotiations between the government and MILF.

Mindanao lawmakers call for review of ceasefire agreement

By Kathrina Alvarez/Jonathan de Santos/SDF/Sunnex


(UPDATED) The ceasefire agreement with Moro rebels must be reviewed if the government wants to bring long-awaited peace in Mindanao, Muslim lawmakers said Monday.

“We have to review the existing ceasefire agreement. The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) is duty bound to police their ranks so that these untoward incidents won’t happen again,” Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar said in a press briefing.

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"The provisions on disciplining their (MILF) ranks must be included in the ceasefire agreement, so that other groups won’t be able to use them," said the lawmaker adding that some lawless elements or other rebel groups use the MILF to shield themselves from any liability.

The MILF claimed responsibility for last week’s bloody ambush attack, which claimed the lives of 19 Special Forces soldiers. They were also responsible for the twin attacks in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 20.

On Sunday, four civilians were included in the eight recorded fatalities out of two separate attacks believed to be committed also by the MILF.

In its official website, the MILF claimed that it was the military which violated the ceasefire agreement after the latter attacked an area “where innocent civilians are being caught in the middle of the ferocious artillery strike”.

“This attack of the government forces blatantly violated the existing ceasefire accord between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF, which only overstates the insincerity of the government and its armed forces with the ongoing peace process and ceasefire,” the group said referring to the incident in Basilan.

Meanwhile, Muslim legislators urged the public to respect the decision of Aquino to continue the government’s pursuit of peace as a declaration of an all-out war against the rebel group may harm hundreds of civilians.

Jaafar, together with Representatives Jim Hataman-Saliman (Basilan), Bai Sandra Sema (Maguindanao and Cotabato City), Pangalian Balindong (Lanao del Sur) and Nur-ana Sahidulla (Sulu) expressed this position considering their constituents which may greatly be affected by such move.

"Once (the) President declares war, it is not only Mindanao but the whole Philippines (that) will be affected," Sema noted.

Like President Aquino, they said an investigation should first be conducted if there were lapses on the side of the government troops.

Balindong, for his part, noted that the public should remain vigilant against anyone or any group who would take advantage of the situation to sow more fear and disorder.

"We must support pursuit operations against lawless elements, but not against the MILF. The just response to aggression must be discriminate; it must be directed only against unjust aggressors, not against innocent people caught up in a war not of their making,” he said in a press statement.

Senators call for end to ceasefire, direct action

Calls for suspension of the ceasefire agreement resounded in the halls of the Senate as well. Senator Francis Pangilinan, a member of President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party, said the ceasefire should be lifted after reports of continued MILF attacks that have killed seven more, five of whom were civilians.

"We also urge the President to suspend peace talks with the MILF temporarily. The GPH (Philippine government) and the MILF must first strengthen the mechanisms of the peace talks, specifically the provisions on ceasefire violations,” he said.

"Ceasefire violations are a hindrance to genuine peace talks. The strengthening of mechanisms against such violations is crucial to both parties moving forward with the peace negotiations. This must include provisions on bringing to justice those perpetrators who, with their actions—regardless of their motives—have resulted in the loss of lives,” he added.

In a separate statement released Monday morning, Pangilinan said rogue elements of the rebel group should be met with "the full force of the law."

“We cannot simply turn a blind eye to the murderous and lawless armed elements in the area, who, with treachery, take advantage of the restraint exercised by our men in uniform out of respect for the peace process,” he said in a press statement.

In a text message to Sun.Star, the senator made clear that he was not blaming a clash in Basilan that left 19 soldiers dead on MILF "lost commands," or MILF members who have gone rogue. He said he meant rogue members of the group in general.

"We should continue to talk peace with the MILF but we should show no mercy for the murderous lost commands. We trust that the MILF will agree that these lost commands should be dealt with the full force of the law," he said. He changed his stance on peace talks Monday afternoon.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, on Monday, also said Philippine security forces should be allowed to enter MILF "areas of temporary stay" to go after lawless elements.

She said pursuit operations against criminals fall under "military necessity" as defined under the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, which was passed in 2009.

The law defines military necessity as "necessity of employing measures, which are indispensable to achieve a legitimate aim of the conflict and are not otherwise prohibited by International Humanitarian Law."

She said military necessity "trumps any ceasefire agreement." She said this in reaction to recent MILF attacks in Basilan that left soldiers and plantation workers dead.

The senator added the MILF should be made accountable for the attacks because of command responsibility. She said if the MILF cannot rein its forces in, "there would be no point continuing peace talks with them.”

With plantation workers among the casualties in an ambush in Lanao Del Norte, Santiago said "the rebels are guilty of war crimes.”

"We don’t have to wait for the next round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur. Great necessity requires great action to defend the state. We do not need the approval of the International Monitoring Team or the MILF,” she said.

She warned that if the government continues to stay out of these areas of temporary stay, the military will be “so severely hampered in its law enforcement functions that the Philippines would be flirting with the status of a failed state.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, from Cagayan de Oro, menwhile said that although he understands the sentiments of people, including fellow lawmakers, calling for a military assault on the MILF, "we should look at the over-all picture and seek lasting peace even as we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice."

He said that as a lawmaker from Mindanao, he "knows first-hand" that Mindanao's peace and order problem is rooted in poverty. He said the solution lies not in military action but in going back to the negotiating table. “All-out war against the MILF will only exacerbate the socio-economic conditions in Muslim Mindanao," he warned.

The senator, who joined the Senate majority bloc when he took office in August, said he will support President Benigno Aquino III's decision to push through with peace talks with the MILF.

For its part, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral letter on Monday, appealing to its followers to continue pushing for peace, which it says is the best way to end the conflict in Mindanao.

"Nobody wins in a war; let us renounce violence’ let us not allow these violent acts of lawless elements to provoke us to further violence," CBCP president Nereo Odchimar said in a pastoral letter.

The series of violent events, including the killing of an Italian priest, has prompted a "reflex reaction" among other sectors who are in favor of an all-out war against the MILF.

"The reactions are valid, and the perpetrators of these dastardly acts must indeed be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice," he reiterated, adding that time, energy and resources have also been invested for peace-building.

Bangun Ra'ayat expands to other Tawi-tawi towns

By Bernie Concepcion


The Tawi-Tawi-based newly recognized Non-government organization has organized its various local chapters in the different towns of the island province in order to further expand its membership to be able to better serve its constituents and spread its principles of unity and peace. Bangun Raa’yat, Inc Sec. Gen Sonardy Jayari said the organization, which was formed recently has set up its municipal chapters in the towns of Mapun, Turtle Island, Tandubas, Sapa-Sapa, Simunul, Sibutu, Sitangkai, Languyan, Panglima Sugala, and the capital town of Bongao. “There is a need for us to expand our area of coverage in order we could deliver our services and spread to the different islands our advocacy, said Jayari. Supported by other pioneering members, Jayari said the organization would be embarking on various programs and projects envisioned in our constitution and by-laws which we wanted to attain in the next few months. This pledging NGO has the following objectives; To support the government and non-government programs on peace and development efforts: To be responsible and productive citizens in the community; To promote human dignity and social justice in the community; To advocate and promote preservation and respect for human right;. To promote social awareness among the members and the constituents in the community; To coordinate with the different government agencies, on matters that will enhance the morale and welfare of the constituents; To assist and engage on livelihood programs and projects to help alleviate the living condition of the people;. To secure assistance/aid from various government and non-government institutions both local and foreign entities for the benefit of the community; and To initiate and conduct other legitimate activities as necessary. Each town had started to form its own chapter and enlisted new members after undergoing the basic screening and orientation workshops, Oath-taking rites will be officially administered by the provincial chapter which will be scheduled later. Some hundred of members are already bonafide members of the NGO representing the cross-section of the communities of the island province, particularly in the town of South Ubian. Considering the distance of every municipality and geographical setting of the island province, it is imperative and practical for the individual chapter to exist, said the official. “As much as possible , we wanted to reach all sectors in order to involve everyone in our advocacy,” he said. He added that Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu and Basilan will soon have their separate chapters and will be appropriately recognized. Bangun Ra’ayat was given a tremendous boost following its official registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just recently.(faber_concepcion2004@yahoo.com)

Upgraded Tawi-Tawi airport draws commercial airlines and interest from investors

By BusinessWorld Online


BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI — Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippine and US governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hong Kong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice-president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights

Previously, travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had to endure a 17-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors have expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

In addition to resort development, there are investment opportunities in power generation, cold storage, and housing development which are opening up in the wake of the new flight routes, said Mr. Lauddin.

Tawi-Tawi turns into busy hub after airport upgrade

By The Daily Tribune


Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippines and US governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hong Kong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, which is home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery, which was established with assistance from USAID.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights.

Previously, most travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had no choice but to endure a seventeen-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the picturesque island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

“The number of rooms is still limited, but already one group is proposing to hold a small convention here,” said Masahud.

“The diving association has had so many inquiries, it’s now working to mark key dive sites, from sunken vessels to coral walls,” he added.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors had expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

“Tourism links are part of our development strategy under the Mindanao 2020 plan, which aims to establish seamless connections for trade and tourism,” said Antonino.

Upgraded Tawi-Tawi airport draws commercial airlines and investor interest

By .mb.com.ph


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippines and US Governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hongkong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, which is home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery, which was established with assistance from USAID.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights.

Previously, most travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had no choice but to endure a seventeen-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the picturesque island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

“The number of rooms is still limited, but already one group is proposing to hold a small convention here,” said Masahud.

“The diving association has had so many inquiries, it’s now working to mark key dive sites, from sunken vessels to coral walls,” he added.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors had expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

“Tourism links are part of our development strategy under the Mindanao 2020 plan, which aims to establish seamless connections for trade and tourism,” said Secretary Antonino.

In addition to resort development, there are investment opportunities in power generation, cold storage, and housing development which are opening up in the wake of the new flight routes, said Lauddin.

No word on blank S’wakian: Anifah

By Tawi-Tawi Journal


BONGAWAN: The Foreign Ministry has nonetheless to accept any information on a news about a disappearance of a 47-year-old Sarawakian, Pang Chong Pong, in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines.

Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman pronounced they are capricious either Pang has left blank or kidnapped by several Filipinos as reported by an general handle agency.

“So far, there is no recover concerned in a box (to recover a victim).

However, we will liaise with a Philippine Government,” he said.

Anifah, who is also Kimanis MP, pronounced this to Daily Express after presenting contributions to 46 people from a Bongawan and Membakut constituencies, who will shortly be behaving a Haj in Mecca, during Nurul Hidayah Mosque in a township, Saturday.

They will be withdrawal Sabah to perform a event on Oct. 20 and 27.

According to an AP report, Pang, a businessman, was believed kidnapped by 4 Filipinos while shopping live fish during Pondohan Lok Anki, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Pang, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak, was believed to be with 3 of his Filipino workers in dual boats when he was kidnapped.

The news settled 3 of Pang’s workers were believed to have been incarcerated by a Philippine military for investigation.

Pang is a second Malaysian still being hold somewhere in southern Philippine waters. The other is a male from Selangor who went to Tawi-Tawi to buy geckos late final year.

On Thursday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib reliable Sabah military had perceived a news about a disappearance of Pang in Tawi-Tawi from his relative. However, Hamza pronounced they are not certain either Pang went blank or was kidnapped.

Meanwhile on a Indonesian situation, Anifah pronounced a series of protestors who staged bootleg demonstrations outward a Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, recently, were being paid to do so by unethical people in Indonesian internal politics.

“The demonstrators are there since they have been hired to do so and a scripts are supposing by those people who sinecure them.

They will stay for an hour and get a tasks finished only for money.

“In fact, all of them do not know what is function outward É Indonesian officials have accurate that a nation has not mislaid any of a territories in Camar Bulan and Tanjung Datu, in West Kalimantan, to Malaysia,” he said.

He pronounced a proof does not offer a purpose of any antithesis members when Malaysia and Indonesia are operative tighten together.

Anifah also voiced his thankfulness to a Indonesian Government for providing some-more than 300 policemen to sunder a bootleg demonstrations outward a embassy.

“These insane people are only ludicrous and formulating something that we call ‘cheap politics’ in a region. We have zero to worry about.

“It is fine to revisit IndonesiaÉin fact, we will be going to Indonesia really soon.

But my recommendation is that visitors including Malaysians who are staying and operative in Indonesia should equivocate going to areas that poise risk to their lives,” he said.

No word on blank S’wakian: Anifah

By Tawi-Tawi Journal


BONGAO, Philippines – Top officials of the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi foresee a major boost to their socio-economic development, including BONGAWAN: The Foreign Ministry has nonetheless to accept any information on a news about a disappearance of a 47-year-old Sarawakian, Pang Chong Pong, in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines.

Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman pronounced they are capricious either Pang has left blank or kidnapped by several Filipinos as reported by an general handle agency.

“So far, there is no recover concerned in a box (to recover a victim).

However, we will liaise with a Philippine Government,” he said.

Anifah, who is also Kimanis MP, pronounced this to Daily Express after presenting contributions to 46 people from a Bongawan and Membakut constituencies, who will shortly be behaving a Haj in Mecca, during Nurul Hidayah Mosque in a township, Saturday.

They will be withdrawal Sabah to perform a event on Oct. 20 and 27.

According to an AP report, Pang, a businessman, was believed kidnapped by 4 Filipinos while shopping live fish during Pondohan Lok Anki, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Pang, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak, was believed to be with 3 of his Filipino workers in dual boats when he was kidnapped.

The news settled 3 of Pang’s workers were believed to have been incarcerated by a Philippine military for investigation.

Pang is a second Malaysian still being hold somewhere in southern Philippine waters. The other is a male from Selangor who went to Tawi-Tawi to buy geckos late final year.

On Thursday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib reliable Sabah military had perceived a news about a disappearance of Pang in Tawi-Tawi from his relative. However, Hamza pronounced they are not certain either Pang went blank or was kidnapped.

Meanwhile on a Indonesian situation, Anifah pronounced a series of protestors who staged bootleg demonstrations outward a Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, recently, were being paid to do so by unethical people in Indonesian internal politics.

“The demonstrators are there since they have been hired to do so and a scripts are supposing by those people who sinecure them.

They will stay for an hour and get a tasks finished only for money.

“In fact, all of them do not know what is function outward É Indonesian officials have accurate that a nation has not mislaid any of a territories in Camar Bulan and Tanjung Datu, in West Kalimantan, to Malaysia,” he said.

He pronounced a proof does not offer a purpose of any antithesis members when Malaysia and Indonesia are operative tighten together.

Anifah also voiced his thankfulness to a Indonesian Government for providing some-more than 300 policemen to sunder a bootleg demonstrations outward a embassy.

“These insane people are only ludicrous and formulating something that we call ‘cheap politics’ in a region. We have zero to worry about.

“It is fine to revisit IndonesiaÉin fact, we will be going to Indonesia really soon.

But my recommendation is that visitors including Malaysians who are staying and operative in Indonesia should equivocate going to areas that poise risk to their lives,” he said.

Economic boost

By Nonoy Lacson


BONGAO, Philippines – Top officials of the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi foresee a major boost to their socio-economic development, including the expected easier mobility of people and goods to and from the province, with the entry of a leading commercial airline here.

Governor Sadikul Sahali said the entry of a new commercial airline here will further enhance the eco-tourism industry, and socio-economic activities in the province.

“We expect a new beginning in the tourism and economic activities in the province because domestic and foreign tourists can now visit the province anytime, likewise, businessmen can easily engage in business activities,” Sahali said. (Nonoy Lacson)

products in Tawi-Tawi

By Philippine News Agency


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Philippine Navy operatives have intercepted a boat loaded with illegally cut forest products estimated to be worth millions of pesos off Tawi-Tawi province, a Navy official announced Monday.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander Rear Admiral Armando Guzman said the boatload of illegally cut forest products was confiscated around 2 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Lamion Point, Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi province.

Guzman said the confiscated shipment consisted of 10,000 board feet of undocumented assorted good lumber and 69 round logs.

Guzman said troops from the Naval Special Operations Unit-1 (NAVSOU-1) under the operational control of Naval Task Force 62 were conducting Maritime Interdiction Operation and Maritime Security Patrol when they spotted M/L Sulna sailing towards the port of Bongao municipality.

Guzman said the skipper and crew of M/L Sulna failed to present documents to show the legality of the shipment of the forest products when the troops inspected the wooden-hulled ferry.

M/L Sulna, which is owned by Hadja Darmina Sandangan, is skippered by a certain Amirjakka with six crew and was also carrying five passengers when it was intercepted, Guzman said.

He said the vessel and the apprehended illegally cut forest products were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official in Tawi-Tawi for proper disposition.

He said the apprehension of M/L Sulna is part of their continuing effort to help curb illegal cutting of trees not only in Tawi-Tawi but also in the entire Western Mindanao region.

Last month, an estimated of 28,000 board feet of illegally cut forest products from Tawi-Tawi were apprehended at Sulu Sea.

“The Naval Forces Western Mindanao will continue and intensify their naval operations in their areas of responsibility to prevent lawlessness at sea, including the transport of illegal logs in all parts of Western Mindanao particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces where rampant incidents of this activity were recorded and monitored,” Guzman added.

Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi get possess military office

By The Tawi-Tawi Journal


MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government non-stop a new police regional bureau catering to a conflict-ridden island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi, or Basulta for short.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo pronounced a opening of a Basulta police office in Sulu as a sub-post of a Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Police Regional Office (PRO) would raise assent and order in these 3 provinces, that are deemed too distant from Maguindanao where a informal military headquarter is.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan pronounced a pierce will also dive a processing of papers in a removed provinces of ARMM, adding, “It is really hard for us to go to Maguindanao as it needs a lot of money, time, and effort to routine some paper works.”

“This new prolongation of a informal military bureau here will also help a lot in nutritious a assent and sequence conditions here in Sulu,” he added.

An estimated 500 policemen will be deployed to male a Basulta police office and will be headed by Chief Superintendent Raul Boac and Senior Superintendent Eric Vahn Dela Rama.

Chinese fish trader snatched

By Al Jacinto


ZAMBOANGA CITY: A Chinese fish merchant was kidnapped in the remote town of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, officials said on Thursday. Officials initially identified the foreigner only as Pang, who was seized by four gunmen on Wednesday near the village of Larap. The gunmen escaped with the hostage aboard a speedboat, said Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.

He said the boat has markings “AKP” and “AKRHO.” One of the gunmen was identified as Mirham, but it was not immediately known whether he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf which has been tagged as behind the spate of kidnappings of foreigners in the southern Philippines.

“The Philippine National Police in (the capital town of) Bonggao coordinated with the Naval Intelligence Security Group-Western Mindanao and (Naval Patrol) Task Force 62 personnel. The TF62 is currently taking appropriate action,” Cabangbang told reporters.

US-funded overpass plan to couple Tawi-Tawi islands

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — A United States-funded highway and overpass plan will shortly bond a dual vital islands of Tawi-Tawi and is approaching to coax growth and significantly boost a province’s economy.


The bridge-road plan is being finished here by inhabitant and informal agencies, with assistance from a U.S. government, and will directly couple Sanga-Sanga Island, where a internal airfield is located, with a mainland of Tawi-Tawi.

The plan is a partnership involving a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a Tawi-Tawi Provincial Government, and a Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali pronounced a bridge-road tie will capacitate internal growers to ride their crops and other products some-more well and during reduce cost to a collateral city of Bongao, that is located on Sanga-Sanga Island and is a core of blurb activity in a province.

“This will severely urge a provision of farmers, quite in a municipalities on Tawi-Tawi Island, such as Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa and Languyan,” Governor Sahali said.

“Upland growers will have an easier time removing their harvests to markets,” he added.

“This has been a longtime dream here, to have a land tie between a dual largest islands,” pronounced Nazrullah Masahud, clamp boss of a Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Masahud pronounced he approaching growers to start expanding prolongation and diversifying their crops, following a infrastructure improvements.

“Previously, farmers had told me that they hesitated to rivet in new ventures since ride was undependable,” Masahud also said.

He combined that a bridge-road connectors would also promote a designation of H2O pipelines and electric energy connectors to offer fast flourishing communities between a city of Bongao and Panglima Sugala municipality.

Through a GEM Program, USAID has helped to urge a island-province’s economy by 51 barangay infrastructure projects, including a construction of 26 vessel landings.

Six incomparable infrastructure projects finished by GEM in Tawi-Tawi embody a prolongation and widening of a Bongao airfield runway, that enabled Airphil Express to settle a Zamboanga-Bongao route, now plying 4 times weekly by a 77-seater Bombardier Q400.

Tawi-Tawi cops seize suspected tellurian trafficker; rescue 4 victims

By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian


Tawi-Tawi military executive Supt. Rodelio Jocson pronounced a 4 victims of tellurian trafficking were discovered around 3 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Basyagan, Bongao, a collateral of Tawi-Tawi province.

Jocson funded a victims’ identities solely in observant they were aged 16s and 17s and all from Sindangan municipality, Zamboanga del Norte.

Jocson pronounced a victims were discovered by policemen led by Insp. Jeseryl Dela Cruz aboard a motorized banca that was about to skip Bongao en track to Sandakan.

Jocson pronounced Dela Cruz and his crew unsuccessful to detain a suspect, who unexpected left on saying a participation of policemen during a time a victims were rescued.

However, he pronounced a suspect, who carried 3 opposite names, was arrested shortly after 7 a.m. Friday aboard a vessel that was scheduled to leave Bongao to Zamboanga City.

The think was arrested nearby a boat’s canteen when one of a victims, who was during that time were eating their breakfast, famous him, he said.

The think was usually identified by a dual newcomer tickets he carried as he was not bringing any other marker papers when arrested by a police, Jocson said.

One of a newcomer tickets seized from a suspect’s possession bears a name of Ian Reyes while Ian Balmendras on a other ticket, Joscon said.

Jocson pronounced they were sensitive by a victims that a think had introduced himself as Rey Garcia when he recently recruited them in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The think is a proprietor of Liloy municipality, Zamboanga del Norte, Jocson said.

The victims pronounced that a think hired them to work to a Chinese employer in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia though it was not transparent what would be their work “as they were told that they will know what are their jobs on arrival,” Jocson disclosed.

The discovered victims were incited over to a control of a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while a think was incarcerated and charges were being readied for filing in court, Jocson said.

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