MAJOR General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, has assured that they will remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and security "of our Tausug brothers and sisters here in Sulu."

Vinluan issued the statement when he, accompanied by other Westmincom officials, visited the province of Sulu Wednesday, August 26, to get information on the Jolo bombing incident from the ground "in spite of the unfortunate incidents."

Fourteen people, including seven soldiers and a policeman, were killed in two successive bomb explosions Monday, August 24, in downtown Jolo, the capital of Sulu.

"To achieve peace, we need to harmonize all our efforts and establish an atmosphere of unity and understanding among us," Vinluan said.

Vinluan also took the time to visit and confer medals on the soldiers who are currently admitted at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo.

Conferred with the Wounded Personnel Medal were Sergeant Jose Alonzo, Corporal Philip Anthony Aleta, Corporal Aldrin Paj-dio, Private First Class Novin Guzman, Private First Class Jayson Paguirigan, Private Stephen Rey Oliveros, Private Alphasier Tapsi, and Private Alviner Hamsaji.

The Westmincom chief also attended the multi-sector meeting held at Sumadja Hall of the Sulu Area Coordinating Center.

Meanwhile, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan praised the military by saying, "You are not the soldiers that I saw in the 70s. You are better than them." (SunStar Zamboanga)