{{Short description|Island in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi}} {{Infobox islands | name = Panguan Island | native_name = ''Malamanok'' | etymology = | image_name = Panguan_Island.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Panguan Island | image_alt = | map = Philippines | map_alt = | map_width = | map_caption = Location within the Philippines | map_relief = yes | label = | label_position = | coordinates = {{coord|4|42|38|N|119|1|53|E|display=inline,title}} | archipelago = Sulu Archipelago | waterbody = Celebes Sea | location = | area_km2 = 0.06 | area_footnotes = <ref name="schadow1">{{cite web|last1=Malicdem|first1=Ervin|title=Panguan Island, the most remote island paradise of the Philippines|url=http://www.s1expeditions.com/2017/06/215-panguan-island-tawitawi.html|website=Schadow1 Expeditions|accessdate=25 June 2017|date=13 June 2017}}</ref> | elevation_m = | elevation_footnotes = | highest_mount = | Country_heading = | country = {{PHI}} | country_admin_divisions_title = Region | country_admin_divisions = Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Province | country_admin_divisions_1 = Tawi-Tawi | country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Municipality | country_admin_divisions_2 = Sitangkai | additional_info = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=yes|frame-width=265|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=15}} }}
'''Panguan Island''' (also spelled as Panggungan Island) is an island in the municipality of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. With an area of {{convert|0.06|km2}}. 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.<ref name="schadow1"/>
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 (Sama Dilaut).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Severino|first1=Howie|title=Somewhere out there is our unmarked border|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/635407/somewhere-out-there-is-our-unmarked-border/story/|accessdate=15 August 2018|agency=GMA News|date=4 December 2017}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Flagpole PanguanIsland.jpg|thumb|left|The southernmost flagpole in the Philippines at Panguan Island, Tawi-Tawi. Put up on April 29, 2017 by the 10th Philippine Marines Battalion Landing Team after it was secured from a decade of occupation by the Abu Sayyaf terror group.]]
Known as the westernmost island of the Tawi-Tawi group, 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<ref name="schadow1"/> after the surrender of eleven high-ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders of Tawi-Tawi in April 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Legaspi|first1=Amita|title=11 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/606866/11-abu-sayyaf-bandits-surrender-afp/story/|accessdate=25 June 2017|agency=GMA News|date=12 April 2017}}</ref>
The Philippine flag was hoisted on the island on 29 April 2017<ref name="schadow1"/> to signify its placement under the control of the Philippine government.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roxas|first1=Joseph Tristan|title=PHL flag raised on Abu Sayyaf 'island paradise'|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/609111/phl-flag-raised-on-abu-sayyaf-island-paradise/story/|accessdate=25 June 2017|agency=GMA News|date=1 May 2017}}</ref>
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==See also== {{portal|Islands|Philippines}} * List of islands of the Philippines * Philippine Marine Corps * Abu Sayyaf * Andulinang Island * Mardanas Island * Panampangan Island
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Panguan Island}} *[https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/496870949 Panguan Island] at OpenStreetMap
Category:Islands of Tawi-Tawi