SULU (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 27, 2012) – Sulu provincial officials praised the 3rd Marine Brigade for its support to the government’s peace and development efforts as it completed its tour of duty.
The marine brigade is heading to its new mission in Palawan province after a long stint in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Abdusakur “Tutuh” Tan II, the Chief-of-Staff of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, represented his father during the send-off ceremony for the marine brigade.
He said his father cannot catch with the ceremony due to a hectic schedule. But the young Tan, who is also the acting provincial governor, read a message by his father for the troops.
“Nevertheless I hope I can do justice to this ceremony by delivering the send-off message of Governor Tan to these brave men in uniform,” he said.
Tan cited the role of the marines in winning the peace and safeguarding the safety and security of the people of Sulu. “For us here in Sulu, this is not a goodbye but a wish and a prayer that you fare very well in your next tour of duty in other destinations. We hope, too, that the officers and men of the 3rd Marine Brigade will be bringing with them good memories of the people here and of the many beautiful sights in this place as they leave the shores of Sulu,” the young Tan said.
The ceremony was also attended by senior military officials headed by Lieutenant General Noel Coballes, of the Western Mindanao Command; and Rear Admiral Armando Guzman, of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
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