Basulta leaders extend help to Zamboanga siege evacuees

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Leaders of three adjacent island provinces Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi vowed to assist hundreds of internally displaced people from the recent bloody siege of the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari-faction. 

The leaders of the neighboring provinces came to the rescue after observing that the focus of the national government has shifted to the areas affected by the super typhoon Yolanda in Central Visayas.

The governors, local government officials, non-government and religious organizations also converged for the leaders’ summit here to hear appeals of the displaced civilians who were against their relocation to sites away from the previous places affected by the conflict. 

Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan, describing the city as their second home as many of their constituents stay, study and work here, said the three provinces are ready to assist the city to look into the welfare of the displaced civilians. 

Tawi-Tawi Governor Norbert Sahali, seeing the conditions of the displaced civilians at the evacuation center at the sports complex, said the survivors have to be moved out to proper relocation sites and provided with source of livelihood.

Sahali said they are also ready to adopt or help the displaced civilians who are identified as natives of their province if the city government will allow them. 

Tan also clarified to the evacuees the their relocation to the resettlement area will be voluntarily and those who prefer to go back on their former places will have to wait for the government's rehabilitation plan.

“We are here in order to help. We have to help the city to help our fellowmen affected by the standoff,” Tan said.