JOLO, Sulu – Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan has called on the people of the province Wednesday for sobriety and vigilance since the Sulu is again enveloped in an atmosphere of uncertainty and an environment of anxiety and fear.

Tan appealed to them to always be observant and wary of anyone or anything that is out of normal and their best defense in the face of prevailing uncertainties is sobriety and presence of mind.

“We should be cautious as to information and some person or persons among us who hide behind the veils of deception and pretense for motives known only to them,” he said.

We should always remember that communication gadgets nowadays had became weapons of mass lies and disinformation in our province, he continued.

Disinformation spreads false news like wildfire endangering people’s safety in their homes and community, the governor observed

“In Sulu, we rely and trust on our people’s resilience and perseverance that time and again have absorbed the many trials and tribulations that push us to the abyss of hopelessness and convincing many that we are beyond redemption. We will prove them wrong, yet again,” he said here during a conference.

Tan pointed out that local government units (LGUs) starting from the village up to the municipality levels should not rely always on the provincial government which can only do so much in terms of peace building and security for them.

“Let us not shift blame to the government, let us also share in the responsibility of nation building,” he said.

“All of us must love our province and commit to protect it together by deeds not only words and in deed not by deception,” the governor added.

Tan said it is the partition in our hearts that are darkened by condescending and discriminatory attitudes, bigotry and suspicions that we should abolish and that had caused war in our midst.

He appealed to the people here that before judgment is passed, rating the performances of their local executives, there should be due consideration to the peculiar and distinct situation in their respective areas.

“Our constituents only look at the delivery of essential services, water, electricity, medical services, and waste disposal as good governance and do not consider other factors that affect the delivery of major basic services including peace and order,” Tan said.