6th RPSB troops return to Neg. Occ.

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 3): 6th RPSB troops return to Neg. Occ.

The 120 troopers of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion, who augmented those in Zamboanga during the crisis in Mindanao, have returned to Negros “intact”.

Newly-promoted Senior Supt. Iver Apellido, 6 th RPSB director, said yesterday that he and his men left Negros as a whole, and have returned also as a whole.

Police Director General Alan Purisima had earlier conferred the Medalya ng Kagalingan, the PNP Merit Medal, on the 6th RPSB troopers headed by Apellido in recognition for their peacekeeping efforts during the Zamboanga crisis.

Police records show that the 6 th RPSB served as support group for the ground troops in cordoning areas occupied by about 400 armed followers of Moro National Liberation Front-Nur Misuari faction, and in securing captured MNLF fighters.

Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, regional police director of the Western Visayas, accompanied by Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, led the welcome ceremony on Dec. 30 at Camp Aniceto Lacson in Victorias City, to honor the RPSB troopers.

Angan congratulated the police contingent from Negros for a job well done in the maintenance of peace and order in Zamboanga City, and for the professionalism they displayed for 121 days in their place of assignment.

“ You have made the PRO6 very proud because of your displayed gallantry and patriotism in a far away land,” he told the 6 th RPSB troopers, adding, “You have wholly played your role as police officers, always ready to give your full potentials in the accomplishment of the organization's goal, even at the cost of your life and limb”.

Apellido said nobody among them was injured or killed during the Zamboanga standoff.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/January/03/topstory14.htm