Press Release
August 25, 2007

Gordon bats for new approach to Basilan and Sulu

Saying that Basilan and Sulu are wrongly perceived as a war zone, Senator Richard J. Gordon is calling on the national government to modify its approach to the area and press forward in building up "the physical, social and legal infrastructure in the region."

Despite the recent hostilities in Basilan and Sulu, and the many casualties sustained, neither province is a war zone, contrary to the popular impression, the senator said 'the prevailing practice has been to treat the two provinces as a war zone, whether one is calling for all-out war like the hardliners or for peace talks like the bishops. This has led to a total neglect of basic services and infrastructure in the area."

But Senator Gordon declared that the situation there is no more severe than in other areas of the country facing some insurgent or rebel activities. "Peace and order prevails and the encounters are sporadic and confined to forest areas," he said.

The Senator was reporting to the chamber on his findings following a two-day visit to Basilan and Sulu where he met with military commanders, local officials, schoolteachers, hospital administrators and civic leaders in the two provinces.

He told his colleagues that the overall situation in Basilan and Sulu can be considerably improved "if peacekeeping efforts are matched by vigorous action to enhance basic governance - such as the provision of basic public and social services."

He urged the government to start immediate implementation of rehabilitation and livelihood projects in ARMM. He stressed that "the focus of complaint and worry of the local people is not peace and order but poor provision of basic services, such as schools, water service and roads, the payment of salaries and teachers, and support for economic activities and livelihood."

The Senator concluded his report by saying that the nation faces a "battle for hearts and minds" in Basilan and Sulu. "The conflict cannot be won by force alone," he said. "The local people have to believe that there really is a peace dividend, and that in getting from here to there, we will be with them all the way."

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