Maguindanao’s oldest town rebuilds centuries-old road

COTABATO CITY — A centuries-old road in Maguindanao’s oldest town, built by the Spaniards and later used by Muslim and Chinese traders, may soon provide a "shortcut" to peace and development in the area.

This, as Datu Piang town is rebuilding the 18th century road which would traverse isolated communities where thousands of Moro secessionist rebels are holed up and link them to the town proper.

Jointly undertaking the road project are the Datu Piang municipal government, Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan and the Department of Public Works and Highway in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Datu Piang Mayor Shamier Uy said the project is part of their confidence-building measures with secessionist rebels and their families in three remote villages which the road would traverse.

"This will surely usher in peace and sustainable development in these barangays," he said.

Ben Carandang, Uy’s executive secretary and spokesman, said the project is being rushed to coincide with the completion of the new public market and terminal in the center of Datu Piang.

"This would allow farmers in the areas to be linked by the road to our poblacion not to have problems in bringing their farm products to our new market," he said.

The municipal government earlier had constructed an all-steel Sallam (peace) bridge connecting the municipal center to three barangays near the Liguasan Marsh, a known lair of Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.