In April 2005, during continued hostilities between government forces and Muslim guerillas in the Muslim Mindanao region of the southern Philippines, Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli conducted a two-week working visit to the island of Jolo, home area to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group (ASG), to further the AAI's Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS) program.
During two separate stays, encompassing a six days/nights in the Sulu province capitol of Jolo, with a population of over 250,000, the areas where the DPIS program is being conducted remained free of armed conflict and terrorism. Accompanied by Attorneys Jose Lorena, Attorney General of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Nabil Tan, AAI Philippines Project manager and former Vice-Governor of the ARMM, a grassroots peace movement was initiated and organized by Islamic clerical leaders, scholars and local civic leaders. The mediation of the AAI, in coordination with the national and regional government, as well as local community leaders, is in line with the original mandate of the DPIS Program: to coordinate social and economic development as a means to achieve sustainable peace in the strategic region, located near the maritime borders of Malaysia and Indonesia.
This peace-building effort, supported by both the ARMM leadership and the Office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is in the first stages of organizing "peace zones" or "no-hostility zones" around the perimeter of the province capitol. These areas of non-violence, such as the DPIS communities are intended to be a first step to ending hostilities between mainstream Muslim rebels whose grievances are fueled by poverty and a failure of the 1996 Peace Agreement to solve the region's social and economic disparities. The peace-building effort is also intended to prevent violent extremists and criminals such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, who have no formal connection to the MNLF, from taking advantage of instability to create further violence and chaos, as well as attract disillusioned youth to their movement.
In addition to helping to organize the grassroots peace committees, among his activities, Mr. Santoli:
Inaugurated the AAI's Adopt a Classroom project, with donated school supplies from schools around the United States to 4th and 6th grade classes at the Sheikh Mustafa Elementary and Port Area Elementary Schools.
Delivered medicines donated by MedPharm, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia through the Philippines Order of the Sisters of the Poor, to the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital and for emergency relief to families displaced by armed conflict outside of the provincial capitol.
Assisted with a successful multi-agency effort to complete the acquisition of a 40 foot seaborne container of medical supplies to the Philippines General Hospital in Manila and the Sulu Integrated Regional Hospital.
Celebrated the graduation of the first "Community Service Scholarship" awardees at Mindanao State University and Sulu High School.
Participated as guest speaker at the 6th grade graduation ceremonies at DPIS "Model of Excellence" schools: Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementary, Sheikh Mustafa Elementary and Port Area Elementary.
Coordinated with the Sulu Department of Education and Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital to deliver emergency medical supplies to 150 families displaced by armed conflict and temporarily housed in a public school-turned-refugee camp in the neighboring Indanan District. A grant from the U.S.-based William H. Donner Foundation helped purchase emergency food supplies for the displaced families.
The DPIS project, authorized in 2002 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Paruk Hussin, received a Presidential Citation in 2003 for helping to build peace in the violence-plagued region. Sulu is rated as the most impoverished province in the Philippines, with a school drop-out rate around 65% and desperately impoverished health and living conditions. Decades of armed conflict has been perpetuated by the hopelessness and isolation of the province inhabitants. The unique approach of the Development for Peace project is based on a consistent interpersonal relationship with the front-line community in order to build hope, deter violence, and build a better future. The AAI has inspired the formation of grassroots committees to develop and oversee the integration of health, education and civil society programs. The Development for Peace in Sulu program is implemented through joint efforts with local NGO partners, American private foundations and corporations, logistics support by the Philippine armed forces, as well as a grant to build educational infrastructure from the U.S. Congress through the USAID. "This project builds trust between cultures and encourages youth to resist exploitation by violent organizations," says AAI Director, Al Santoli.
Adopt a classroom ceremony at Port Area Elementary School.
AAI team prepares ceremonial table of Adopt a Classroom at Port Area Elementary.
Adopt a Classroom presentation at Port Area Elementary.
The courtyard of Sheikh Mustafa Elementary, Jolo on the last day of the 2004-05 school year.
Magic and badminton in courtyard of Sheikh Mustafa Elementary.
Adopt a Classroom celebration in 4th grade class at Sheikh Mustafa Elementary.
6th grade graduation at Sheikh Mustafa Elementary.
Al Santoli presents Valedictorian medal at Sheikh Mustafa Elementary.
AAI and Sulu Regional Hospital teams prepare emergency relief supplies for families displaced by armed conflict in Indanan, Sulu.
Elementary school-turned-refugee camp in Tambak, Indanan, Sulu.
Displaced persons makeshift shelter [provided by Red Cross and Philippines Government] at elementary school in Tambak.
Child in displaced by fighting between Philippine military and rebel groups in Tambak displaced persons camp.
AAI-funded emergency relief arrives on Sulu Regional Hospital truck at displaced persons camp in Tambak.
Displaced families register for emergency food supplies provided by AAI at Tambak camp.
Emergency supplies of rice, noodles and powdered milk distributed to each displaced family at Tambak Displaced Person's camp.
Family displaced by fighting sheltered at Tambak camp.
Displaced children playing on displaced person camp in Tambak.
AAI "Community Service Scholarship" students' from Sulu High School accepted to Notre Dame College in Jolo for the 2005-06 school year, with Sulu School Superintendent, Dr. Amy Malbun.
Sulu High School Principal with former student and AAI "Community Service Scholar" who recently graduated in the Class of 2005 at Mindanao State University in Jolo.
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