The marine troops of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the Second Marine Brigade set up a sovereignty marker on Panguan Island, Barangay Datu Putih in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi on December 24, according to a statement released by the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
"As an exercise of sovereignty, the marker demonstrates the belongingness of the maritime feature and its inhabitants to one country," said JTF Task Force Commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio.
"The local government needs to place one, because, Panguan or locally called “Panggungan” (resting safe area), is too remote from the provincial seat of government but in close proximity to another foreign place," he added.
The provincial and municipal government, the Westmincom said, will place more markers in other islands the province "to set the expectation that residents of these places are entitled to the same rights and protection as mandated by the Constitution."
The military said the island is one of the last southwestern island frontiers of the Philippines that was used by "kidnappers, smugglers, and other lawless groups to exploit the vulnerable and marginal Sama-Badjao tribe on the island until it was secured in 2017."
"Now, the island is the home of an eighty-household community of Sama-Badjaos whose children are educated by the civilians and military personnel of the marine detachment stationed thereat," Westmincom added.
In a separate statement, Western Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr. said, "With our strengthened collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, we continue to gain significant breakthroughs in our campaigns to ensure the safety and security of the people and the state." -- BAP, GMA News
This article Marines install sovereignty marker on Panguan Island was originally published in GMA News Online.
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