BY JESSIE MONGCAL, MDN News Bureau
JOLO, Sulu – “Jolo, Sulu now is very peaceful and we thank the people for their contribution in making sure that our town is in order, Mayor Kerkhar Tan said Thursday during an exclusive interview with Mindanao Daily News.
Tan said his administration is “making sure that everybody is served even in the far-flung areas so that the people will feel they are the reason why we run for elections because we want to serve them.”
“Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo na pinili ng lahat ang magkaroon ng matiwasay na pamumuhay dito sa bayan ng Jolo, Sulu. Maliit lang ang bayang ito kaya walang rason na hindi tayo magkaisa.
Although Mayor Tan accepted that before Jolo was in chaos because of the presence of lawless elements, most especially the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
“Pero ngayon dahil sa integration ng government natin kung saan yung mga Tausog naging CAFGUs at kakilala nila ang mga miyembro ng ASG, kaya marami ang nag surrender at bumalik sa normal nilang buhay.. HIndi rin naman taga rito ang mga ASG nayun kundi galing sa ibang lugar,” Mayor Tan explained.
He also personally thanked MDN for visiting Jolo and witnessing how peaceful the town is. “Salamat at nandito ang media ng Cagayan de Oro para makikita nyo personally na payapa naman talaga ang lungsod natin.” the mayor pointed out.
ELECTIONS
Mayor Tan also assured the SK and Barangay Elections this coming October 30 to be generally peaceful. Although in the past the town is considered by the Comelec as among the hotspots especially during election campaigns and voting day..
“But now we are ready for the holding of the SK and Barangay Elections. Our police and the military are now doing their best to start planning how they could avert possible election chaos and the use of force by other camps just to win in the highly contested areas in Jolo, Sulu.  ###
