JOLO, SULU: After decades of conflict and militant unrest, Sulu in the southwestern Philippines is pinning its hopes on visitors returning as the scenic island province finally enjoys a return to peace. The province, with more than 150 islets, forms part of the Sulu archipelago, stretching from the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula in the north to the island of Borneo in the
FRUITFUL MEETING. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (front, left) meets with local officials and top brass of the 11th Infantry Division to discuss their gains in Jolo, Sulu on Thursday (March 17, 2022). President Rodrigo Duterte previously said he will be leaving the presidency with a relatively peaceful Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU) JOLO, Sulu - The security situation in this island province has significantly improved over the years, creating an environment where all sectors can closely work together to help transform Moro combatants, their families, and communities, according to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. President Rodrigo Duterte likewise commended the good relationship between the national government and the Moro rebels in Mindanao. "This harmonious relationship paved the way for the implementation of the signed peace agreements with the Moro rebel organizations
FATHER AND SON. A father and son members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) receive food and cash assistance after surrendering to the troops of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade Thursday (Feb. 3, 2022) in Barangay Bonbon, Patikul, Sulu. The two will be enrolled in the Localized Social Integration Program of the provincial government of Sulu. (Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrenderers in Sulu has climbed to 16 since January 1 after two more ASG bandits surrendered to government authorities in the province, military officials announced Saturday. Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the two ASG bandits surrendered Thursday to the 1103rd Infantry Brigade troops headed by Brig. Gen. Benjamin Batara in Barangay Bonbon, Patikul, Sulu. Rosario withheld the identities of the two ASG rebels for security reasons except to say that they are father and son surre
Egyptian terrorist, 2 Sayyaf bombers killed in Sulu
SULU - The Philippine military announced Saturday the
killing of an Egyptian terrorist - who was believed to be an ISIS soldier - and
two Filipino Abu Sayyaf bombers in a brief, but fierce firefight in Sulu, but security
officials claimed four other foreign terrorists are embedded with the pro-ISIS
group in the province.
Army Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western
Mindanao Command, identified the slain Egyptian only by his first name Yusop,
whose mother - Reda Mohammad Mahmud
- was
behind the suicide attack at an a military post in Sulu’s Indanan town on