ZAMBOANGA CITY, 23 April 2005 — US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone has asked Muslim leaders in Jolo to support development projects in the troubled southern island to help make life better for their constituents.
“We are here to help you to make this beautiful island peaceful because there are terrible few who try to destroy the good image of Jolo, who preach death and violence,” Ricciardone said in a dialogue with local leaders, among them preachers.
Ricciardone arrived in the island on Thursday with Italian Ambassador Umberto Colesanti and senior US officials to inaugurate projects being funded by the US government.
Amid very tight security, the diplomats were met at the island’s airport by Sulu provincial Gov. Benjamin Loong and Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, the military commander for the Southern Philippines.
Ricciardone’s appeal for cooperation came a week after unidentified gunmen bombed a water reservoir in Indanan, one of four towns where the US infrastructure projects would soon begin.
Officials have reminded the island’s residents to help take care of such projects, such as the water reservoir, as they themselves would be affected if these are destroyed.
Among the projects launched on Thursda, which are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), would include road upgrading in the towns of Indanan, Maimbung and Parang, home to more than 125,000 people. Aside from the road project, Ricciardone also said that the USAID-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) are currently working on the improvement of the seaports in the town of Siasi and Maimbung, and also potable water system and solar dryers on the island.
Ricciardone also met with a group of Muslim preachers led by Ustadz Iribani Manggona at the Ma’hadul Ershad Al-Islami complex, in an effort to get support for future presence of US troops on the island.
The island, about 950 km south of Manila, was originally the venue of a joint RP-US anti-terror warfare, but a strong public outrage had scrapped the plan last year.
He repeatedly told the preachers and a group of young Muslims the importance of defeating terrorism on the island.
Just three days ago, Abu Sayyaf militants, led by Albader Parad, bombed a water reservoir in Indanan town in an effort to start a battle ahead of Ricciardone’s visit, but local troops did not retaliate for fear the skirmish would derail the visit of the diplomats.
Filipino snipers were spotted on buildings surrouding areas where Ricciardone visited yesterday, and foot soldiers and policemen, backed by armored personnel carriers, guarded downtown Jolo against possible threats of attacks by the Abu Sayyaf. The visit was a success, one security officials said.
