Tawi-Tawi contingency plans organized for Zambo Crisis

By Nash Tahang

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi  (September 19, 2013) -  Governor Nurbert Sahali has convened a special meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Wednesday, to address problems relative to the on-going siege in Zamboanga City, whose adverse effects are felt in the province.

Different agencies were called to present their contingency plans in anticipation to possible problems the siege in Zamboanga City may cause Tawi-Tawi.

S/Supt Joselito Salido, Tawi-Tawi police director, Captain Alberto Cruz, CO, Task Force 62, and Lt Col Rommel Recinto, CO, MBLT -5 have assured Gov. Sahali that the PNP and the AFP are ready to curtail any attempt by bad elements to disturb peace and tranquility of the province.

Gov. Sahali has also directed the National Food Authority and rice traders to assure that rice supply and other commodities will be sufficient to the needs of the people when things get worse as a result of the siege.

Earlier, since the crisis started Gov. Sahali and Representative Ruby Sahali have arranged for special flights of the Cebu Pacific to ferry stranded 292 pilgrims from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu of which the provincial government in coordination with the congressional district has financially assisted the pilgrims in their fares to Cebu. 

In the same manner, both offices have also work hand in hand in providing free transportation to Tawi-Tawians caught amidst the armed encounter between the MNLF rebels and the government troops in Zamboanga City.

The first wave of Tawi-Tawi evacuees numbered 602, which arrived Tuesday noon via M/V Kristel Jane.

However, the second wave estimated to ferry over a thousand evacuees has yet to await the travel ban to be lifted by WESMINCOM before it could sail from Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi.

The provincial government has sent donation worth of P1million relief goods to the displace victims coursed through the city government of Zamboanga. 

Sahali also made his press statement Monday on the postponement of Tawi-Tawi’s 40^th Kamahardikaan celebration slated September 22-27, stressing that “we cannot rejoice while our neighbors are in a state of anguish”