The entire province of Sulu has been declared as free from the presence and influence of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday, Sept. 7.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, attributed it to the efforts of the Sulu Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) and other stakeholders to convince the remnants of the group to return to their normal lives.
“Prior to this momentous event, we were able to clear from ASG affectation the 52 ASG-affected barangays which attributed to the voluntary surrender of 966 ASG personalities and recovery of 559 firearms,” said Patrimonio.
"This declaration is a significant milestone as it marked the collective victory of the local government units together with various sectors that work together towards attaining peace and security in Sulu. This will bring forth development and will boost the eco-tourism of the province," he added.
The ASG, founded by Abdurajak Janjalani in 1991, was classified as the most violent separatist movement in Mindanao.
It gained its notoriety in abducting locals and foreign residents and would engage in beheading their captives if ransom payment is not made. It was also tagged in a series of bomb attacks not only in western Mindanao but also in Metro Manila.
Since the death of Janjalani and his brother Khaddafy, the group has started to lose operational capability.
Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan said the declaration of Sulu as ASG-free was a long process that involved cooperation among stakeholders.
"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,” said Tan.
“This is the indicator that there is harmony, so we came up with the agreement that the Sulu will be declared ASG-free. Let us keep cooperating to create a community that respects harmony, diversity, and development,” he added.