AFP builds road in former MILF stronghold

January 12, 2010

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the help of the U.S. forces has built a road right at the heartland of a former stronghold of the separatist rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barira, Maguindanao.


The project consisting of the 750 meters Nabalawag West Road and the 3.5 kilometers Nabalawag East Road including a spillway in the Ambal River all in Barangay Nabalawag cost around P8 million. It was officially handed over Friday to the management of the local government of Barira after being completed.


The funds were provided by the United States ’ government thru the U.S. Army.


“This is the biggest project we have undertaken so far in this area,” said Lt. Col. Gavin Edjawan, Commander of the 37th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.


Nabalawag including most parts of Barira and its neighboring municipalities were under the control of the MILF up until 2000 when the government launched an all-out war against the rebel group. The Nabalawag road project is just few kilometers from the hub of Camp Abubakar – the largest of the MILF camps during its reign in the area.


Mayor Alexander Tomawis of Barira is the man who pushed for the project. Most parts of the municipality have remained inaccessible to vehicles for the longest time.


He said it is an indication that the place is moving towards progress. It would be easier now for farmers to move their harvest, he said.


Tomawis said they will try to secure more help to support the extension of the road and the construction of other development projects.


The road project gives locals here a glimmer of a brighter tomorrow. They dub it the ‘peace road’ – a welcome development from their war torn past. (Rav Bahri / BPI-ARMM)