Opening lines of communications

For a quiet community in Batu-Batu, in Panglima Sugala town in the province of Tawi-Tawi, watching a movie is a luxury. No one in the local village hardly owned a television nor a video system, so that bringing over to the community a movie for children is more than a treat.

Last August 8, soldiers from the Philippine Armed Forces and the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines engaged in community relations surprised the community folk by organizing a movie session within the neighboring area of Batu-Batu. About 26 children with 3 accompanying adults came over to watch the movie.

"Children's Movie Night encourages open lines of communication and build rapports between the AFP and the local community," said JSOTFP Public Affairs Officer Maj. Kenneth Hoffman in an interview.

"The children and adults enjoyed the event and expressed interest in attending future movie nights," he added.


JOLO COORDINATING CENTER INAUGURATED


As July this year came to an end, the Area Coordinating Center Project in Jolo was formally inaugurated in simple ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially turned over for use and control to Sulu's capital town of Jolo.

The Center, located at the Sulu Provincial Capitol Area Coordinating Center (ACC) in Walled City, Jolo, Sulu province, in southern Philippines, was meant to serve the townsfolk in preparation for any emergency situation that might arise.

"This civil-military engineering project is designed to provide the community with a modern multi-purpose facility to be used by members of the City of Jolo. The complex includes an open covered marketplace, a meeting hall, administrative offices and a storage facility," said Hoffman.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Jolo Municipal Mayor Hussin Amin, AFP Task Force Comet Commander Marine Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban, and Task Force Sulu Comander Maj. Joe Mouer spearheaded the dignitaries who graced the simple ceremony. Approximately 200 local attendees came over to witness the ceremony and at the same time check out the functionality of the center and its facilities.

"This project provides a modern multi-purpose facility where citizens of Jolo can meet, exchange ideas and showcase community events. The complex also provides the Municipal Government a meeting place that will allow its citizens to organize and communicate their ideas to the community and government in a peaceful setting," he added.

Jolo officials noted that this community resource improvement project helps to improve quality of life for the citizens of Jolo and enhances civic relations.
(Frencie L. Carreon)