July 21, 2002, The Philippine Star, Rehabilitated Basilan airport reopened, by Roel Pareño,

July 21, 2002, The Philippine Star, Rehabilitated Basilan airport reopened, by Roel Pareño,

 

Menzi Airfield, Basilan - The screeching of the tires and the roaring of the engine of a military C-130 cargo plane as it taxied at 10:30 a.m. last Saturday in Basilan may have signaled the arrival of new hope, peace, development and stability in this poverty-stricken and war-torn province.

The landing of the C-130 military plane was a moving spectacle to local government leaders, local military men and residents who lived in terror for the past several years. A thunder of applause erupted once the aircraft touched down and taxied to a stop down the airstrip.

On board the C-130 was a delegation led by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who formally turned over the airstrip to local government officials represented by Rep. Gerry Salapuddin.

Yesterday's landing was the first for a huge Philippine military aircraft since the early 1970's.

The airstrip, located in Barangay Kabunbata less than 10 kilometers from the provincial capital of Isabela City, was abandoned at the height of the war between government troops and Muslim secessionists.

It was reconstructed with the assistance of US Navy Seabees who are participating in the joint RP-US Balikatan 02-1 military exercise ending this month.



"This airfield is a symbol that reminds us of the advent of development, commerce and transport (in the province). It symbolizes the commitment of the Republic of the Philippines in its campaign against terrorism," Reyes said.

Basilan has been a haven for the Abu Sayyaf, a band of Muslim rebels who engaged in kidnap-for-ransom activities and is linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network of Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden.

"The province of Basilan had undergone all the difficulties, almost insurmountable challenges and it has proven equal to the challenges. Its residents have proven their determination to keep faith and stay with the government," Reyes said.

He narrated during his remarks in the turnover ceremonies of the airstrip that several members of his delegation were anxious whether the C-130 could land properly in the reconstructed airstrip. He said he did not doubt that they could land properly.



Maj Gen Glecerio Sua, chief of the military anti Abu Sayyaf unit Task Force Comet, said the reopening of the airstrip is another successful joint venture of the Basilan residents and the military.

Sua said the airstrip will facilitate the easy transfer of supplies and personnel for security and humanitarian operations, notably times of disasters and calamities.

"Let us make this airfield a symbolic monument to the goodwill, understanding and cooperation of the peoples of the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines," Sua said.

Sua thanked the US government and US troops involved in the reconstruction of the airstrip.