Panguan Island is an island in the municipality of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. With an area of 0.06 square kilometres (0.023 sq mi). It is also known as Malamanok, coming from the Sama-Bajau dialect which means eat chicken as locals who travel to Sabah usually use this island as a stop-over to eat roasted chicken prior continuing their journey to Malaysia. It is the last island of the Sulu Archipelago nearest to the Philippine-Malaysian border.[1]
Native name: Malamanok | |
|---|---|
 Panguan Island | |
.svg)  Panguan Island Location within the Philippines | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 4°42′38″N 119°1′53″E / 4.71056°N 119.03139°E |
| Archipelago | Sulu Archipelago |
| Adjacent to | Celebes Sea |
| Area | 0.06 km2 (0.023 sq mi)[1] |
| Administration | |
| Region | Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao |
| Province | Tawi-Tawi |
| Municipality | Sitangkai |
| Additional information | |
 | |
This island is 50 km or 31 miles away from Sabah state. Just like other Philippine border communities, the area lacks access to food, potable water and healthcare.
The island has a newly constructed military barrack, a flagpole, and a small community of Badjao.[2]
History edit
Panguan Island was used as a hideout by the Abu Sayyaf terror group until it was liberated by the 10th Marines Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-10) of the Philippine Marine Corps[1] after the surrender of eleven high-ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders of Tawi-Tawi in April 2017.[3]
The Philippine flag was hoisted on the island on 29 April 2017[1] to signify its placement under the control of the Philippine government.[4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Malicdem, Ervin (13 June 2017). "Panguan Island, the most remote island paradise of the Philippines". Schadow1 Expeditions. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ Severino, Howie (4 December 2017). "Somewhere out there is our unmarked border". GMA News. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
- ^ Legaspi, Amita (12 April 2017). "11 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender". GMA News. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ Roxas, Joseph Tristan (1 May 2017). "PHL flag raised on Abu Sayyaf 'island paradise'". GMA News. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
External links edit
