Scout rangers return to Visayas after clearing Zambo conflict zone

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 18): Scout rangers return to Visayas after clearing Zambo conflict zone

One hundred ninety nine soldiers from the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion and their commanding officer Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog were officially sent-off Wednesday morning from Zamboanga City back to their area of operation in the Visayas region in simple ceremonies held at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) in barangay Upper Calarian this city.

According to Maj. Franco Rafael H. Alano of the WesMinCom Information Office, about 220 rangers arrived from Negros Occidental last Sept. 10, a day after the conflict started. They were called to assist and augment the local troops in securing the conflict-affected areas in the city during the standoff with heavily-armed members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Misuari faction that lasted three weeks. Some of the rangers returned to their station in Negros earlier.

The rangers were finally pulled out from the frontlines after the situation in barangays Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Rio Hondo, Kasanyangan, Talon-Talon and the neighboring conflict-affected had stabilized. These areas are now subjected to “mopping” operations, the second passing of the clearing operations, which was undertaken by the local police.

“Right now, the situation does not anymore warrant the need for the scout rangers,” said Maj. Alano, adding “we cannot use them just for checkpoints and cordons, and their expertise are very in demand in other areas.”

According to the WesMinCom information office, three scout rangers were wounded during the encounters. No one was reported killed in action.
The scout rangers are an elite group of soldiers specially trained in anti-guerilla warfare. They have the reputation of being one of the world’s best anti-guerilla fighters.

Meanwhile, in a press conference held Thursday at the city hall, Col. Randy Sino Cruz of the AFP reported that the conflict areas are approximately 98 percent cleared. He said that the clearing operations are expected to end next week when the authorities have the utmost confidence that the area is 100 percent safe.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar still urged the populace to remain vigilant of any possible disturbances to the peace and security in the city.

“Please remain alert at all times, and instead of spreading or forwarding threatening and unverified text messages and online scares, immediately report them to the local police hotline 117,” said Mayor Climaco-Salazar.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2651382060781