BALIKBARANGAY After three years of displacement, 645 families return to their village in Tugas, Patikul town, Sulu province, on Thursday, assisted by soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion through the “Balik Barangay” program. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — In what was viewed as a victory over the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf group, 645 families have returned to the village they left three years ago in Patikul town, Sulu province.
“The place is now habitable; the community is starting to bounce back with the presence of the people,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Vinluan, along with Bangsamoro region’s Social Welfare Minister Raissa Jajurie, witnessed the families’ return to Tugas village, which had become a battleground between the Abu Sayyaf and the military as the bandit group sought to entrench themselves in Sulu’s communities.
The villagers deserted their community in 2017 and had relocated to Patikul’s other villages of Liang, Sandah, Tanum, Kaunayan and Buhanginan.
In a talk with them on Thursday, Jajurie acknowledged the need to invest in Tugas’ rebirth, particularly those aimed at restarting livelihoods, and constructing basic community structures like a health center, school and multipurpose hall for local gatherings.
“I have personally seen today the plight of the people of Tugas. I give my assurance that all of your pleas will be conveyed to the concerned ministries [of the Bangsamoro],” Jajurie said.
‘Balik Barangay’
Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini has initiated a “Balik Barangay” program with the Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade that seeks to “put up necessary government structures that will address their welfare needs,” Vinluan said.
Volleyball, badminton and basketball courts are now being put up in Tugas as part of a plan to establish a sports complex that will be a showcase for community rebuilding, the military official said.
To ensure the safety of villagers, a security system was established, involving local watchmen, police officers and soldiers.
Also on Thursday, Jajurie handed over P15,000 to former Abu Sayyaf bandits who had surrendered since 2017, representing the Bangsamoro government’s assistance to them to lead new lives. According to Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, 144 former bandits received a total of P2.16 million.
Since 2017, 271 Abu Sayyaf members have surrendered and are being assisted through the localized social integration program being implemented jointly by the local governments of Sulu and the military. The program package includes education, livelihood training and housing aid, said Lt. Col. Rolando Mateo, spokesperson of the task force. INQ