Gov't to send stranded Sulu, Tawi-Tawi residents home

COTABATO CITY, Philippines –  Local officials are set to transport by sea to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi thousands of travelling Moro folks whose supposed return to the island provinces last week yet had been stalled by the closure of the seaport in Zamboanga City.

Authorities have closed the seaports in Zambaonga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi  as followers of Nur Misuari  have been holding hostages  since  September 9.

Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali, who is helping oversee the return of the stranded passengers, said it is more cost efficient and convenient for them to be transported to the island provinces than confining them in evacuation sites, in houses of relatives, or in hotels in Zamboanga City.

“Life is much much easier in their places of origin. Tawi-Tawi is a  very peaceful province and these people have never been used to exposing themselves to conflict situations," Sahali said.

The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi scheduled to initially transport  500 passengers from Zamboanga City to Bongao, capital of the island province.

Some 400 Tawi-Tawi residents were scheduled to leave for Bongao, to be transported by the M/V Kristel Jane II of the Aleson Shipping.

“We cannot overload the boat so people overseeing this initial transport of stranded Tawi-Tawi residents have to be strict in imposing safety precautions to ensure that the passengers can reach Bongao safely. The boat can only accommodate 500 passengers,” Sahali said.

Sahali said local officials are now securing permits for the departure of the boat from the Zamboanga seaport and for its entry to Bongao.

More than 800 stranded Tausogs have been returned by boat to Jolo, capital town of Sulu, last Monday through the efforts of Gov. Sakur Tan, Jr.

Another batch of stranded Sulu residents arrived at the Jolo port Tuesday dawn in another voyage facilitated by Tan’s office.

Tan is now organizing a team of government health workers and Tausog clerics to assist in the relief works of the office of Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco.

The province of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have remained peaceful amid the on-going hostilities in Zamboanga City and Basilan.

Tan and Tawi-Tawi’s governor, Nurbert Sahali, have both been initiating backchannel dialogues with local officials of the Moro National Liberation Front to prevent any spillover to their respective provinces of the hostilities in Zamboanga City. - John Unson