The Indanan local government in Sulu province has declared the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf as persona non grata in their communities.
Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said Wednesday Mayor Hermot Jikiri lead a peace covenant meeting on Tuesday, where the lawless activities of Abu Sayyaf were strongly denounced.
The Indanan LGU also expressed its full support to the government forces’ battle against terrorism.
“We are declaring these terrorists as persona non grata here in Indanan, and we vow to support the military, police, and other security agencies in bringing lasting peace and progress in our beloved municipality,” Jikiri said.
Meanwhile, Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan hoped that through the covenant, the province could soon achieve long-lasting peace.
Also read: 3 soldiers wounded in encounter with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Abu Sayyaf now persona non grata in Indanan, Sulu
“We need to gain the people’s support because, in unity, there is strength. Let us take what President Carter once said, ‘With the people, you can never lose; without the people you can never win,'” Tan said.
“This peace covenant is for us all, for ‘Lupah Sug,’ and for the ‘Bangsa Sug.'” Never did we have this kind of peace covenant signing in the past. Now is the time for us to unite. We, leaders, elders, barangay officials, local government units, the AFP, the PNP, religious leaders, and the people must all unite,” he added.
Joint Task Force Sulu chief Brigadier General William Gonzales, meanwhile, said the local government unit’s support would “enhance cooperation between the security sector and the people thereby accelerating our campaign against terrorism in the area.”
Peace could be attained if “we will let synergy work out and bring forth significant breakthroughs,” said WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan.
Meanwhile, police said Sunday they arrested the alleged right-hand man of Abu Sayyaf leader Mundi Sawadjaan in Zamboanga City, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said Monday.
Cascolan identified the suspect as Hashim Saripada, also known as Ibnu Kashir Saripada, at a press briefing in Camp Crame. Regional Intelligence Unit – IX and the 84th Special Action Company (Seaborne) operatives arrested Saripada at Barangay Recodo.