JOLO, SULU — The province of Sulu, historically one of the country's major conflict-affected areas, on Thursday declared a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) in all 19 municipalities, as government and security officials said armed threats have significantly diminished and normal community life has been restored.
The declaration marks the government's assessment that Sulu has reached a level of peace and security where armed groups no longer pose the same organized threat to communities, allowing local authorities to shift greater attention toward development, connectivity and sustaining peace.
"Very, very significant sa atin ito lalong-lalo na 'pag inisip mo 'yong mga pamilya at mga bata kasi nakita talaga natin 'yong gulo noong araw," said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., who attended the ceremonial declaration at the Sulu provincial capitol.
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"Eh, ngayon, tingnan mo tahimik na tahimik. So, work in progress ito, living document ito," he told reporters in a chance interview.
Teodoro said the government would continue maintaining a security presence and supporting national and local government efforts to preserve the gains in peace and security.
A new military brigade camp has also been established in Luuk town, with the community donating their land.
"Sa amin talaga is to maintain presence, to support national and local government efforts para maiwasan lang ang untoward incidents so that magkakumpiyansa lahat ng private equity na gustong pumasok at national efforts na hindi masabotahe," he said.
FROM CONFLICT TO STABILITY
Sulu has for decades been associated with armed conflict involving various groups, including the Abu Sayyaf linked to kidnappings, bombings and attacks. The province has also experienced clan-related conflicts, or rido, which have contributed to insecurity in some communities.
Government forces subsequently intensified military and law enforcement operations against the group, while surrender and reintegration efforts were also pursued.
The security situation in Sulu has also been shaped by the region's broader political transition.
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which had been involved in the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao, became part of the political process that led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Sulu, however, is no longer part of BARMM. The province was excluded from the autonomous region following a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the province's withdrawal from the Bangsamoro region after its voters rejected inclusion in the 2019 plebiscite. Sulu was subsequently placed under the administrative supervision of the national government.
Sulu Governor Abdusakur "Toto" Abubakar Tan II said the province is now "rido-free" and "insurgency-free," citing the disbandment or decline of armed groups in the province.
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"Nakita niyo MNLF naging miyembro ng BARMM government. Abu Sayyaf ay naideklara na ng bawat munisipyo na Abu Sayyaf-free. So, masasabi namin na insurgency-free na ang aming lalawigan," Tan said. "Wala nang threat at all."
Provincial officials said the latest declaration reflects the security gains made in recent years, while stressing that maintaining peace remains an ongoing effort.
"So, naka-alis kami sa BARMM. 'Yong pinakahuling eleksyon na nangyari sa BARMM, hindi na kami kasali -- so nale-less 'yong pagaagawan, pagaaway-away ng magkakaibigan, ng magkakamaganak," said Sulu Governor Abdusakur "Toto" Abubakar Tan II
"Mas maganda kasi ang pinagmumulan ng gulo ay 'yong politika," he added.
FIREARMS TURNED OVER
Tan also cited the surrender of firearms as an indication of the community's commitment to sustaining peace.
Nearly 300 surrendered firearms were displayed during Thursday's ceremony. Tan said, however, that thousands of firearms had been surrendered in the province since 2018.
"Dito sa aming probinsya, 'yong pagdadala ng armas ay irrelevant na sa aming pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay," Tan said.
Tan said the province would now focus more heavily on socio-economic development while maintaining vigilance to prevent a return to the conditions that fueled conflict in the past.
The provincial government said sustaining peace would be crucial in attracting investment, improving connectivity and creating opportunities for communities that had experienced prolonged insecurity.