In reshuffle, Marine battalion sent to Metro Manila to aid anti-terror campaign

From ABS-CBN (Feb 10): In reshuffle, Marine battalion sent to Metro Manila to aid anti-terror campaign

The Philippine Marines 8th Marine Battalion Landing Team has been deployed to Metro Manila to help in the campaign against terrorism under the military's regular reshuffle.

A send-off ceremony for the troops was held at the Zamboanga port early Saturday morning as the team is set to join Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.

“Ang major accomplishment nila is they are our island detachment in Tawi-Tawi, particularly in islands in between Sulu and Tawi-Tawi," Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, said.

Medina noted that there is no imminent threat of terrorism in Metro Manila and that the team would only augment forces there.

The team came from Tawi-Tawi, where it played a vital role in the military's anti-piracy campaign.

The team was also instrumental in reducing the number of attacks of bandit group Abu Sayyaf against local and foreign vessels off the waters of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

No kidnapping incident in the high seas has been recorded since February 2017 due to stricter security measures at strategic points, Medina said.

They will be replaced by the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team in Tawi-Tawi, Medina noted.

At least two marine battalions have been maintained in Tawi-Tawi, enough to guard the province against piracy, kidnapping, and terrorists, Medina said.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/10/18/in-reshuffle-marine-battalion-sent-to-metro-manila-to-aid-anti-terror-campaign