JOLO, Philippines, 31 March 2005 — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has canceled what would have been a daring trip to
the southern island of Jolo, where troops are battling two groups of militants, including one blamed for the spate of terror attacks in the Philippines.
Officials said Arroyo is to visit Zamboanga City today and stay there overnight. Tomorrow, she will fly by chopper to Zamboanga Sibugay province, about 110 kms east of the port city, to meet with local politicians and supporters, and inspect rubber plantations. She will then return to Zamboanga City for other appointments, the Philippine Information Agency said.
Officials did not say why Arroyo canceled the trip to Jolo but some officials speculated that her security advisers may have deemed the island to be a high security risk.
Arroyo was supposed to inaugurate tomorrow a low-cost housing project built by government soldiers in Jolo’s Panamao town, scene of last month’s deadly skirmishes between troops and rebels loyal to detained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari.
The fighting killed over 150 rebels and soldiers and displaced tens of thousands of people.
She was also to inspect government rehabilitation efforts on the island, about 950 kms south of Manila.
It would be Arroyo’s first visit in Jolo since President Joseph Estrada was removed from power in 2001. Estrada remains popular on the island, a known opposition stronghold.
Army engineers were building dozens of medium-sized houses to replace those destroyed by skirmishes last month between troops and rebels.
While rehabilitation efforts continue in areas ravaged by war, troops are also battling Abu Sayyaf militants tied to the Al-Qaeda terror network. More soldiers were sent to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf on the island to ensure Arroyo’s safe visit.
Fighting between military and Abu Sayyaf over the weekend have left two soldiers wounded.
Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza inspected troops in Jolo on Tuesday and was briefed by senior military commanders about the security situation on the island.
Troops were spotted setting up roadblocks and checkpoints in Panamao town.
Braganza also announced the capture of an Abu Sayyaf speedboat in nearby island of Basilan on Monday. He said the boat, owned by Abu Sayyaf leader Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman, was used by the group to transport weapons in the southern Philippines.
