Sulu lawmaker Loong, 69
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Sulu first district Rep. Habib Tupay Loong died of liver cirrhosis before dawn on Friday. He was 69.
Loong, who was reelected for a third and final term, died in a private hospital in Metro Manila, where he was reportedly confined for a month.
Loong’s remains were picked up by his supporters and family members at the Zamboanga Airport before it was brought to his residence in Barangay Tumaga then transferred to Sulu for burial as per Islamic tradition.
Reps. Celso Lobregat and Lilia Nuño were among those who paid their last respects to the lawmaker.
Lobregat said Loong’s death is a ”great loss” not only for Sulu, but also the whole country.
“Our friendship became stronger during the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) proceedings. Tupay was pushing for the passage of BBL and we have our debates and different points of view but we understood and respected each other,” Lobregat said.
Loong was among the founding members of the Moro National Liberation Front. He quit in 1974 along with seven others to join the government.
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