From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 2): Marines to pull out from Cotabato; Army SFB to come in
After augmenting security forces in this city for nearly four years, the 350-strong Marine Battalion Landing Team – 1 is set to leaveCotabato City
Replacing the task vacated by the MBLT-1 here is a 5th Special Forces Battalion (SFB) from the Philippine Army, an equally potent force against lawless elements.
The MBLT-1 has been instrumental in the neutralization of kidnapping syndicates operating in this city and the near environs that had preyed on a number of local Filipino-Chinese traders, among others, over the past several years.
“We, Cotabateños, are saddened by the impending departure of the Marines here. The city would not be as it is today, a first class urban center, if not for the vigilance of the community and the Marines against criminality,” Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. said.
Still, Guiani added, the city welcomes much the entry of the 5th SFB as deterrent against criminal groups in the locality.
Lt. Col. Ronaldo Juan, MBLT-1 commander, said a company-size unit of Marine troopers would be retained to help the SFB familiarize with security procedures the Marines undertook here during the duration of their stay.
Initial reports said the MBLT-1 would be assigned in the island-province of Basilan, a component area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
A turnover ceremony is set to take place between the MBLT-1 and 5th SFB on April 5.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=631601
After augmenting security forces in this city for nearly four years, the 350-strong Marine Battalion Landing Team – 1 is set to leave
Replacing the task vacated by the MBLT-1 here is a 5th Special Forces Battalion (SFB) from the Philippine Army, an equally potent force against lawless elements.
The MBLT-1 has been instrumental in the neutralization of kidnapping syndicates operating in this city and the near environs that had preyed on a number of local Filipino-Chinese traders, among others, over the past several years.
“We, Cotabateños, are saddened by the impending departure of the Marines here. The city would not be as it is today, a first class urban center, if not for the vigilance of the community and the Marines against criminality,” Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. said.
Still, Guiani added, the city welcomes much the entry of the 5th SFB as deterrent against criminal groups in the locality.
Lt. Col. Ronaldo Juan, MBLT-1 commander, said a company-size unit of Marine troopers would be retained to help the SFB familiarize with security procedures the Marines undertook here during the duration of their stay.
Initial reports said the MBLT-1 would be assigned in the island-province of Basilan, a component area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
A turnover ceremony is set to take place between the MBLT-1 and 5th SFB on April 5.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=631601