Elite AFP forces who defended Zambo City vs MNLF fêted as they prepare to leave

From GMA News (Oct 3): Elite AFP forces who defended Zambo City vs MNLF fêted as they prepare to leave

The elite Armed Forces of the Philippines troops that defended Zamboanga City from the followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last month are leaving after doing their job, but not before getting thanks from city mayor Isabelle Climaco.

A post on the mayor's Facebook page Thursday said the mayor expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the AFP Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG), at a send-off ceremony at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Wednesday.

“We in Zamboanga City desire for peace, and as you prepare to go back to where you came from, we want to show to you our deepest gratitude, especially to those who risked their lives in defending the rights of the people, especially the children,” the mayor said.

WesMinCom chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo congratulated the JSOG forces for a job well done, and cited their "critical contributions to the operations in Zamboanga."

Ardo said the MNLF "never thought that we have such a force that is not only professional but equipped and suitable for this type of operational setting that no one ever thought of.”

Gold Cross Medals were given to the elite troopers from the Light Reaction Units that make up the JSOG for their gallantry.

For his part, WesMinCom spokesman Maj. Franco Rafael Alano said the JSOG had already accomplished their mission in Zamboanga, and are thus no longer needed in the city.

He said the JSOG forces "have to be sent back to barracks for re-training."

"We do not need them anymore for the clearing operations because their expertise is purely direct assaults on the enemies,” he said.

The JSOG forces were involved in assaults on MNLF fighters that allowed the government to take back MNLF-occupied areas of the city last September.

MNLF forces occupied several areas of the city Sept. 9, engaging government troops in a standoff after having taken civilians hostage.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/329207/news/regions/elite-afp-forces-who-defended-zambo-city-vs-mnlf-f-ecirc-ted-as-they-prepare-to-leave