Construction of Sulu's new provincial prosecutor’s office begins

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The Sulu local government on Tuesday started constructing a new provincial prosecutor’s office (PPO) in an area known for vendetta killings and clan wars.

The groundbreaking rite for the new PPO, to rise on a strategic spot in downtown Jolo, capital of the island province, was jointly led by Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan Jr., local prosecutor Anna Marie Pierreangeli Ledesma, and the director of the provincial police, Senior Supt. Abraham Orbita.

The event was also attended by Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin and his constituent-local officials.

Tan told reporters the construction of Sulu’s new PPO will boost public confidence in the national justice system.

Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) blame the scarcity of prosecutors, courts and judges in the ARMM provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi as the main reason why there is high prevalence of vendetta killings, and a strong culture of “rido” among big Moro families.

Rido is a generic term in most Moro vernaculars, which means clan war, usually caused by land disputes, affronts on family pride and honor, and intense political rivalries.

The office of Tan will bankroll the construction of the new PPO. The governor had also promised to provide for the salaries of members of the PPO's administrative and technical rank-and-file staff.

Ledesma and Orbita both told reporters that the project will help instill among Sulu residents the importance and propriety of seeking redress through proper, constitutionally mandated venues. 

The old PPO is located inside the Sulu capitol compound in Talipao, which is far from the center of Jolo.