Sulu rallies behind Duterte

DAVAO CITY – Political leaders in the southern province of Sulu have assured their "strong and unwavering" support to President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of the national polls next year.

A photo posted by Sulu Rep. Samier Tan (left) on Facebook shows his father, Governor Sakur Tan and elder brother, Vice Governor Toto Tan posing with President Rodrigo Duterte following a meeting on October 12, 2021 in Davao City.

Governor Sakur Tan and his sons Vice Governor Toto Tan and Rep. Samier Tan - who are all running unopposed - met with Duterte in Davao City on Monday. But details of their meeting were not made public, but Rep. Tan released a set of photos showing them posing with the president.

“Our family and the rest of Sulu are with you all the way our dearest President,” wrote Rep. Tan on his Facebook post.

His elder brother, Vice Governor Tan also posted the same photos on his social media page and thanked President Duterte. “Salamat po Tatay Digong,” he wrote.

The Tans, who are philanthropists and influential politicians not only in Sulu, but in the Muslim autonomous region, have previously made public announcement of their “unwavering and loyal support” to President Duterte. And Governor Tan also vowed to support the vice presidential bid of Senator Bong Go, the president’s long-time aide.

Nur-Raez Omar, one of the Tans’ loyal supporters, who shared the photos of President Duterte and the trio, said: “A manifestation of a great leader is being recognized by the highest position in the land - the President of the Philippines himself.  The father and his sons, equally competent and compassionate. A living proof of Kusug sin Tausug iban Pag-makusug sin Amah sin Bangsa Sug. May Allah always guide, strengthen and grant long life to our leaders and nama-mawgbug sin Lupah Sug.”

Another supporter, Nahdin Jubaira, said: “The Patriarch of Sulu, Governor Abdusakur M. Tan with sons, Congressman Samier Tan of the 1st District of Sulu, and Vice Governor Toto Tan with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Davao. The siblings and the father who are seeking re-elections in their respective present positions are unchallenged in the coming elections. It augurs well for the continued progress and development of Sulu. We are in good hands, Alhamdulillah!”

Governor Tan said his municipal mayors and constituents are all behind President Duterte and he even cited the president’s leadership and concerns for the poor, and the government peace and development efforts not only in his province, but the entire Muslim autonomous region.

He said the Tausugs wanted President Duterte to run for the vice presidency despite his withdrawal from the political race. “Alam mo kaya gusto ko si President Duterte tumakbong vice president kasi as far as Sulu is concerned, napakaganda na ngayon ng Sulu. Tahimik, walang kidnapping, wala lahat, puro development ngayon. Kailangan may continuity, kung mawala yun continuity babalik na naman kami sa gulo,” Governor Tan said.

He said the government’s anti-insurgency and peace and development campaign in Sulu has drastically reduced the number of Abu Sayyaf members due to the mass surrender of militants under the auspices of the provincial government and the Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict. (Mindanao Examiner)