Mindanao groups back Tan as new ARMM chief

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan

A group largely composed of Tausug youth, former fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front, members of Sulu royalty and other leaders has endorsed Sulu Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan as a candidate for regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in midterm elections to be held next year.

Sansibar Hadjulani, chairman of the group Anak Sug (Children of Sulu), said his group is endorsing Tan and recommending him to be the official candidate of the ruling Liberal Party.

Hadjulani said his group has sent letters of its endorsement to the President, Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Sen. Franklin Drilon and political adviser Ronald Llamas.

“There can never be progress much less good governance in Sulu if there is no peace,” Hadjulani said.

“The people of Sulu are sick and tired of the killings, the kidnappings, the bombings, the military operations and the collusion of politicians with criminal elements,” he said.

In a separate statement, the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance said “civil society organizations in Mindanao strongly support the leadership of Gov. Sakur Tan because of his genuine and untainted political career.”