Sulu celebrates 633rd Bangsa Sug Day

A provincial government photo shows Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro with Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during the celebration of the 633 Bangsa Sug Day.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of people participated in the three-day celebration of the 633rd Anniversary of Local Governance and Public Administration in Sulu province with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as guest of honor.

Tan thanked Teodoro for again visiting Sulu and even mentioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for his unwavering support to the peace and development efforts of the provincial and municipal governments, and other stakeholders. 

“Nagpapasalamat po kami ng marami, kaming mga Tausug sa pag-unlak ni Secretary Teodoro sa aming imbitasyon bilang guest of honor sa selebrasyon ng 633rd Bangsa Sug Day. Lubos rin po ang pasasalamat natin sa ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, sa Armed Forces at Philippine National Police, sa ating mga local chief executives at sa mga Tausug at sobrang tagumpay po ng ating pagdiriwang na dinaluhan ng maraming turista,” he told The Mindanao Examiner by phone from Sulu.

A provincial government photo shows Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro accepting a token from the Tausug people represented by Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during the celebration of the 633 Bangsa Sug Day.

Teodoro also lauded the celebration, the biggest in Sulu. But unknown to many, Teodoro, then the country’s Defense chief (2007-2009) under the Arroyo administration, was also the brainchild of the civilian auxiliary force called Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team which he first put up in Sulu under the supervision of the police authorities and he later organized this in different provinces across the country to help in maintaining peace and order in the localities.

“Grateful for the warm invitation from Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan to join the 633rd Bangsa Sug Day, a vibrant celebration of culture, heritage, and the remarkable achievements of our brothers and sisters from the Province of Sulu,” Teodoro said.

While in Sulu, security officials presented to Teodoro a group of Abu Sayyaf members, including a boy, who surrendered to the military. Security officials also showed Teodoro assorted Abu Sayyaf weapons.

“Ating nakasama ang mga surrenderees ng Abu Sayaf group sa Sulu. Kasama sa mga sumuko ay ang isang bata na ating pinangakong tutulungan sa kanyang pag-aaral. Siya rin ay ating ipapakilala sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) upang siya ang matutukan at maalagaan hanggang sa kanyang paglaki,” he said.

Teodoro said he was happy with the mass surrender of the Abu Sayyaf and vowed more peace and development projects for the province.

 

“Ako ay sadyang natutuwa at parami ng parami ang mga nagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno kaya’t di tayo titigil hanggang maatim natin ang kapayapaan at development sa Sulu. Kailangan tulong-tulong po tayo. Nandito lang kami ni President Bongbong Marcos, ang Department of National Defense - Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines, ang Province of Sulu, at marami pang iba na handang-handa tumulong sa pag-asenso ninyo at ang probinsya ng Sulu,” he said.

 

The celebration, dubbed 633rd Bangsa Sug Day, was marked with street parades and cultural dances, and various programs. Fireworks also illuminated the night sky in Sulu during the celebration. 

Sulu became a province on March 10, 1917 through Commonwealth Act No. 27-11.  Sulu celebrates a special day - the foundation of local governance and public administration every September 18 - per Provincial Ordinance No. 01 series of 1993 - proudly signifying that local government in Sulu antedates a similar system in the country.  (Mindanao Examiner)