Sulu Island
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However, while there is little interference of state power, there are quite a few bandits around who definitely pose a threat to all tourists. The following information on Sulu was circulated by the state-owned 'Philippine News Agency' (PNA) and printed in the Manila Standard of November 29, 1989: "Probably the biggest arsenal stock of weapons in The Country province-wise is Jolo with a minimum estimate of two guns per person according to Lt. Col. Eduardo Mana-ay, Sulu PC-INP provincial commander.
With Sulu's population placed at 437,337 that means there are 874,674 guns, mostly loose firearms in the entire Sulu province... It is of public knowledge that the Tausugs, the predominant tribal group in Sulu love to possess a gun... 'Our estimate is a low figure', Mana-ay said. Mana-ay also said that since January this year the PC and police in Sulu recovered only seven firearms, hardly in the dent in the estimate of more than 400,000 loose guns in this war-torn province. This does not include the firearms of government troops employed in Sulu. The AFP has five combat battalions in Sulu plus hundreds of militiamen."
For details on the MNLF and the dangers of kidnapping, see the paragraphs on Law and Order in the chapter Insight.
GEOGRAPHY
Land Area: 4,015sqkm (1,550sqmi)
Topography: most islands are hilly and rugged, thickly forested areas in the southern part of Basilan and the north of Sulu Island
Mountains: Saddle Peak near Mangal, Basilan 1,011m (3,317ft); Mt Tumatangis near Jolo, Jolo 307m (1,007ft)
POPULATION
Majority Group: Tausugs and Samals in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces; Yakans and Cebuanos in Basilan province
Language: Tausug and Samal in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces, Cebuano in Basilan province
Region Population: 932,000
Cities, towns: (Census of 1990 x1000)
Province Basilan: Isabela 59, Lamitan 51, Lantawan 19, Maluso 19, Sumisip 33, Tipo-Tipo 34, Tuburan 28.
Province Sulu: Indanan 42, Jolo 53, Kalingalan Caluang 16, Lugus 15, Luuk 29, Maimbung 17, Marunggas 4, Old Panamao 27, Pandami 17, Panglima Estino (New Panamao) 16, Pangutaran 17, Parang 43, Pata 9, Patikul 30, Siasi 46, Talipao 66, Tapul 10 Tongkil 10.
Province Tawi-Tawi: Balimbing 21, Bongao 38, Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi 19, Languyan 32, Sapa-Sapa 16, Simunul 26, Sitangkai 34, South Ubian 19, Tandubas 20, Turtle Islands 2.
Political Structure: Provinces (Population x1000, area, capital): Basilan (243, 1327sqkm, 512sqm, Isabela), Sulu (462, 1600sqkm, 618sqm, Jolo), Tawi-Tawi (227, 1087sqkm, 420sqm, Bongao)
BASILAN ISLAND
Isabela
Acc: Basilan Hotel - Alano St; rm 35-100
Lamitan
Acc: Boulevard Hotel - 30 pp
Travelers Inn - 30 pp
Continued
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