Stranded Tawi-Tawi, Sulu villagers get help

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Sulu and Tawi-Tawi officials have been lending a hand in helping bring home thousands of their constituents who have been stranded in Zamboanga City as a result of the fighting between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces loyal to Nur Misuari.

Authorities have closed the seaports in Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi since the siege of Misuari’s followers last Sept. 9.

Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali, who is helping oversee the return of the stranded locals, said it is more cost-efficient and convenient for them to be transported to their island provinces than confining them in evacuation sites or staying in relatives’ homes or 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 has scheduled an initial transport of 500 folk from Zamboanga City to Bongao, capital of the island-province.

Some 400 Tawi-Tawi residents are initially scheduled to leave for Bongao onboard M/V Kristel Jane II of 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 the required written permits for the departure of the boat from the Zamboanga City port and for its entry to Bongao.

More than 800 stranded Tausogs returned by boat to Jolo, the 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 yesterday dawn in another trip facilitated by Tan’s office.

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

The provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have both remained peaceful amid the hostilities in Zamboanga City and Basilan.

Tan and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Nurbert Sahali have both initiated backchannel talks with local leaders of the MNLF to prevent violence from spilling over to the provinces.