Deployment of Marines part of efforts to restore order in Sulu -- PN

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Deployment of Marines part of efforts to restore order in Sulu -- PN

The deployment of Marine Landing Battalion Landing Team (MBLT)-1 to Sulu is part of efforts of the Philippine Navy (PN) to maintain, restore and establish a climate of order in the province.

This was disclosed by PN public affairs office chief Capt. Lued Lincuna in statement Wednesday.

"(Deployment of MLBT-1 is) part of the constabulary role of the PN in support to the internal security operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines aim to maintain, restore or establish a climate of order within a community so that the duly constituted local government units can function effectively," he added.

MBLT-1 was deployed to Talipao, Sulu on Monday. The 500-strong unit replaced MBLT-2.

The former unit is commanded by Col. Noel D. Beleran.

"They will be relieving MBLT-2, its part of a regular retraining process, all battalions should be rotated every year but sometimes it is not done due to operational requirements. We rotate battalions because we need to retrain, refresh, and refurbish for future deployments," PN spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo earlier said.

Upon arrival in Talipao, Sulu on Feb. 7, MBLT-1 will be used in the ongoing operations in order to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements in the province.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=853461