PHL flag raised on Abu Sayyaf 'island paradise'

The Philippine Marines has hoisted the Philippine flag in the country's southernmost island that used to be a hiding place for members of the Abu Sayyaf to emphasize that the island is in government control.

A report by GMA News' Chino Gaston on 24 Oras on Monday said the flag-raising ceremony took place on Saturday in Panguan Island in Tawi-Tawi.

Members of the local community and the Philippine Coast Guard personnel also witnessed the ceremony, the report said.

Panguan Island is located in Sibutu Channel, an international shipping lane, where the Abu Sayyaf is known to conduct kidnapping activities.

Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commander Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon said the bandits often use the island to hide, rest, and "gas-up."

"Dati, like this island yung Panguan, dinadanaan ito ng mga Abu Sayyaf. Dito sila nagtatago, dito sila nagpapahinga, dito sila kumakain. Dito sila naga-gas-up kumbaga," Parcon said.

A female resident said most of the island's residents now feel safer following the arrival of the Marines. "Mas kampante sila ngayon kaysa dati kasi mayroon ng pagpapatrolya," she said.

However, the location of Panguan Island poses logistical problems in ensuring enough supply of food and potable water for the soldiers. The island also has no source of electricity.

Lt. Francis Ramirez, nonetheless, said the challenges in  being assigned to the island do not in any way hinder their performance of their mission as soldiers.

"Pag may namo-monitor kami na papalapit na o papasok na bangka nilalapitan namin gamit yung asset po dito na speedboat," Ramirez said.

The report said patrol ships from the Philippine Navy have started their constant missions to Sibutu Channel.

The United States government also helped the Armed Forces in building a ship monitoring center and radar system to better monitor vessels entering the territory, the report said.

The US also supported the construction of permanent barracks and monitoring facility at Turtle Islands to ensure the security at Celebes Sea.

The report said the PCG also mulls building a lighthouse and radar station at Panguan Island, which is very close to Malaysia.

The local government hopes the beefed up security measures in Panguan Island and its nearby territories can help them promote its white sand beaches and clear waters to attract tourists in the near future. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News