Too often, Sulu province a remote island in southern part of the Philippines is always thought of only as a subject of humanitarian concern or a region of conflict. Where all lawless and rebellion element took place simultaneously. Being a safe haven for terrorist as well as rebels in their own making. But the region has seen slowly successful transition to peaceful area with civilians irrespective of affiliation and religion are working together to define a broader scope to maintain peace, security, and stability. It will take continued work to achieve long term solutions to the conflict prone region and this is a dramatic breakthrough for the interest of the country.
The national government, local government units, non-profit organizations, and other foreign governments has been an active key partner in resolving conflicts in the region. With most effort committing to humanitarian concerns as well as supporting development of economic programs. Although conflicts elsewhere inside the Sulu region remains tragically unresolved, it is worth noting that key players are taking a continued active role in the peace and development progress in consideration of the context of what has been attained.
Though a comprehensive peace plan and agreement is in the works that will likely bring a much needed peace. On the many fronts more smaller armed groups will likely rise to the occasion which is in opposition to the plan. Thus creating a splintered and breakaway group. This saw the rise of the MILF which was formed as a breakaway faction from MNLF. The most notorious to rise was the Abu Sayaff the most radical group and considered terrorist organization and other smaller factions that are former members of the MILF and MNLF which has no clear political agenda.
The national government ability to confront smaller armed group is limited to the extent that it does not want lost of lives and resources. It is clear that an enhance peaceful political solution is much needed. Without political bargain peace and prosperity cannot be sustained.
Sulu is confronted by both economic and armed struggle issues being an island far from mainland Mindanao which is the third archipelago states in the Philippines others are Luzon and Visayas. For the local government units in Sulu promoting economic development must remain a top priority. The real question is how to promote.It is often wondered if armed struggle is an absolute right that could bring effective solution of their own but clearly it was a mere front to attract attention. The province is within the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and is effectively governed by the national government. With the recent abduction of ABS-CBN news veteran journalist Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama have been kidnapped for ransom on their way for their assignments -- It is disappointed to see prosperity in the region is hampered by kidnapping activities of lawless elements groups that resorted to violence to funds their continued arm struggle. Not long ago a similar incidents occurs where a number of journalist foreign and locals, tourists from an island resort in neighboring Malaysia, foreign and local humanitarians had been abducted in exchange for ransom with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group claiming responsibility.
The rise of lawless elements cause grave concerns for the future of Sulu. Perhaps to an even greater degree the increase in conflict and violence defines what future does Sulu holds. This could pull the province to slide into deepening violence and put it into martial law zone. For the residents of Sulu province in their districts that embraces life under the crossfire they have high expectations of the benefits of peace and prosperity that has been long denied to them.
The lawless armed groups that has been waging war against the national government offers political views that very few people of the province embrace. They exploit the weakness of the local and national government, often using violence against civilians and revenues they collected from illegal and/or criminal activities to fund their operation and existence. These lost groups are perceived to be obstacles to the development in the region. If someone from the national government had said that mission has been accomplished that was far from reality. Rooting out terrorists in the province by bringing in more peacekeepers and hopefully winning support from the locals would drastically reduce the terrorists ability to control the province. Many assumed that eliminating the lawless armed groups commanders would totally eradicate the groups existence -- perhaps on to some degree. They are mostly employing guerrilla tactics regrouping when they have mission and blending into simple villagers when not in mission.
Kidnapping crisis in Sulu is far from over. To some, journalist are corrupt going into the terrorists safe house is not free either they choose to agree to pay access pass for them to grant interviews or pay ransoms when they are not allowed leave. Board and Lodging is often used in lieu of ransoms by the journalists. When it's not supposed to be the term it is ransom, no one would pay a huge amount when one is held against his/her.
ABS-CBN the employer of the journalist kidnap victim Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama are quick to call a news blackout sensing the sensitive information that might have jeopardize the lives of their workers. Which is understandable to ensure their safety, when if we are to recall for other previous kidnap victims appeal for news blackout it might not be the same.
Military armed confrontation alone cannot totally solve the issues in Sulu but is also necessary to prevail and enforce law in the land. A continued infrastructure development, livelihood project assisted, and peace monitoring foreign groups from trusted foreign government will ensure economic progress opportunity to dwell in the region.
