Thomas: US to continue support for Sulu

MANILA, Philippines - US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. visited Sulu last Tuesday and gave assurance of his country’s continuing commitment to better the lives of the local folk through sustained development and infrastructure projects.

“We are committed to the development of Sulu and in the achievement of better lives for its people,” Sulu public information officer Bong Abing quoted Thomas as saying.

Thomas met with provincial and local officials led by Gov. Abdusakur Tan at the provincial capitol. It was the ambassador’s first visit to the island province.

Accompanying Thomas were US embassy political officer Mike Pigratello, US Agency for International Development (USAID) director Gloria Steele, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) commander Capt. Robert Gusentine, and Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer.