SULU – President Duterte flew Friday to the Muslim province of Sulu in southern Philippines, meeting soldiers and assuring them of their welfare and benefits before being briefed by military commanders on the government’s campaign against the notorious Abu Sayyaf group which is holding more than a dozen mostly Asian hostages.
Duterte, who previously said he wanted to meet with a fugitive rebel leader Nur Misuari, of the Moro National Liberation Front, when he goes to Sulu, was not able to see him for a still unknown reason. But Misuari is facing rebellion charges in connection with a deadly attack by his followers in nearby Zamboanga City in 2013.
Details of the security briefing he received were not disclosed by military officials, except that the operations against the Abu Sayyaf is continuing in an effort to recover the hostages.
Duterte also thanked his supporters in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He returned to Davao City later in the day. Sulu’s political leaders Governor Totoh Tan and his father, former vice governor Sakur Tan were the only ARMM officials that campaigned and supported Duterte’s presidential bid in the May polls. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc.)
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