Marines from Marawi welcomed back in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 2): Marines from Marawi welcomed back in Sultan Kudarat

Residents in this coastal town welcomed back Thursday the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-7) a year after the military unit left for retraining in Cavite.

The locals had opposed last year the pullout of the Marine battalion, claiming peace and order in the locality greatly improved with the presence of the Marines.

Fresh from combat duties in Marawi City, the 500-man MBLT-7 landed in the coast of Kalamansig with the residents welcoming them with Philippine flags.

Kalamansig Mayor Ronan Garcia said he is happy that the Marines are back. He lauded Marine Commandant Major Gen. Emmanuel Salamat and Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez for returning MBLT-7 to Kalamansig.

Kalamansig is one of the coastal towns in Sultan Kudarat under the area of operation of 1st Marine Brigade.

Before being redeployed to Kalamansig, the Marines fought fierce urban battle against ISIS-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

At least 20 Marines from various units died in the five-month liberation campaign of Marawi City from the hands of terrorists.

Lt. Col. Gerald Bautista, MBLT-7 commander, was elated with the way Kalamansig residents welcomed them as they disembarked from the Navy boat at the Kalamansig port.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1014617