TROOPS in the province of Sulu greet all Muslims and Christians alike a Happy Eid'l Adha as Muslims around the world gather and celebrate.
This is the message of solidarity of troops when mass was celebrated on Sunday during the blessing of a newly-constructed hospital inside Camp Bautista in Jolo, the capital town of Sulu province.
The newly-constructed station hospital is expected to enhance the survival of wounded troops and widen the medical care that can be given to soldiers and their families while stationed in Sulu.
Brigadier General Arnel dela Vega, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) commander said in an emailed statement on Sunday that "soldiers in Sulu and those assigned generally in Mindanao have learned to understand and respect the religion and culture of Moros."
"We extend our sincere desire for a peaceful Eid'l Adha and we again appeal to the people of Sulu for their continued cooperation to ensure the safety of all members of the community," Dela Vega said.
The ongoing rescue efforts of kidnap victims in Sulu have been intensified on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte after the Abu Sayyaf bandits beheaded Patrick James Almodovar, 18, of Jolo in late August when the family failed to raise the P1 million ransom.
The focused military operations to destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and rescue the hostages took the lives of 15 soldiers and wounded 27 in Sulu while three were killed and one was wounded in Basilan totaling 18 dead and 28 wounded soldiers.
At least 32 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in Sulu in the ongoing focused military operations while 27 were killed in Basilan totaling 59 dead and scores wounded.