Irelley school rises from the ashes with AFP, JSOTF-P help

By Maj. John Hutcheson
Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs

The Armed Forces of the Philippines recently completed construction of a new Irelley School in Sumisip, Basilan after the Abu Sayyaf Group burned down the previous school in late March. The reconstruction was a joint effort between the AFP’s National Development Support Command, the Philippine Navy’s Mobile Construction Battalion 1 and JSOTF-P. The AFP turned to the school over to local officials July. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robin Ressler/Released)

SUMISIP, Basilan, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines, in partnership with the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, brought new hope the village of Sumisip on the island of Basilan when it turned over a new school building July 29 in front of hundreds of students, parents, teachers and local officials.

The Irelley school was one of two schools burned to the ground by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in late March, reportedly in retaliation for the town’s past cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino Brig. Gen Rustico Guerrero, 1st Marine Brigade commander attended the ceremony, both praising the efforts of the local community to support the Marines on Basilan in creating a safer and more secure environment.

The reconstruction was a joint effort between the AFP’s National Development Support Command, the Philippine Navy’s Mobile Construction Battalion 1 and JSOTF-P. The three organizations worked together to assess the proposed project and develop plans, with JSOTF-P providing the funding and materials to back the AFP’s construction efforts.

As the school’s construction neared completion, the United States Agency for International Development joined the effort, donating desks and textbooks to the school and ensuring the students and teachers would have the tools they needed to succeed. AFP and JSOTF-P service members also distributed school supplies and book bags to the kids at the ceremony.

The mayor of Sumisip, Habir Al Sarul was also on hand for the symbolic turnover. He highlighted the community partnership with the Philippine Marines that made the school construction possible and implored the local citizens to continue supporting the Marines in order to put an end to the violence that has plagued Basilan.

Even as the Irelley school was turned over, the AFP continues construction on the Sitio Oval school in Sumisip, which was also burned down by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Members of the Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines distribute backpacks and school supplies to children July 29 at the turnover ceremony for the new Irelley School in Sumisip, Basilan. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robin Ressler/Released)