AFP bestows arrival honors for Kalayaan troops

From Ang Malaya (Aug 6): AFP bestows arrival honors for Kalayaan troops

The military on Monday bestowed arrival honors to troops who were stationed for five months at the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea on July 21. The arrival honors was held at the Philippine Navy’s 2LT Lagare Tidepole Pier where the government troops were welcomed by no less than the commander of the Palawan-based Armed Forces of the Philippines, LTGEN ROY O DEVERATURDA AFP, after being relieved from their posts.

For five months, the government forces were stationed in Kalayaan to take care of eight detachments located in the islands of Panata, Likas, Rizal Reef, Parola, Lawak, Pag-Asa, Kota, and Patag – all in the contested region. He said troops, who are staying on a navy vessel in Ayungin Shoal are not included in the group that has returned to mainland Palawan.

LTGEN DEVERATURDA said the troops are back for the first time in five months, and they were ferried to Puerto Princesa by LC 550 (BRP Bacolod City). “To be deployed in detachments far away from their families to safeguard the country’s claim is honorable and laudable and for this reason, you are all heroes. This welcome ceremony is the country’s way of saying it is proud of you for accepting the special task to take care of its territories off in the WPS,” LTGEN DEVERATURDA said.

He told the returning troops that they should not think their sacrifices have not paid off because they did. Giving the welcome ceremony, he added, will continue for troops on-rotation in the West Philippines Sea – a small token for a happy return. They were relieved during the weekend and replaced with fresh troops.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/08/06/2869-afp-bestows-arrival-honors-for-kalayaan-troops