New Navy chief visits Marine wounded troops in Sulu

From the Sun Star-Manila (May 2): New Navy chief visits Marine wounded troops in Sulu

NEWLY installed Navy chief Rear Admiral Jesus Millan paid a visit to Marine troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Thursday, a day after he assumed the top Navy post.

Colonel Edgar Arevalo, commander of the Navy's Civil Military Operations Group, said Millan asked the troops what they need as they pursue surgical operations against the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

At least 25 Abu Sayyaf members were reported killed and 24 others were reported last Tuesday, as the bandits tried to retake a lair overran by the Marines a day earlier. A soldier died and 19 others were injured.

The Philippine Marines is a major unit under the Navy.

"He sought to determine the operational requirements that the Marines need to pursue the ongoing surgical military action in Sulu and how he, as concurrent commander and Flag Officer in Command with the cognizant Navy Central Staff and Commander with him, can support," said Arevalo.

Millan assumed as the new Navy chief last Wednesday, replacing now retired Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano. He was previously the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao based in Zamboanga City.

Millan was accompanied in the visit by Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrerro and Marine commandant Major General Romeo Tanalgo. He handed out P150,000 in assistance to the family of the slain soldier and P15,000 to the injured.

Arevalo said the visit of Millan was in line with the commitment he gave during his assumption "to vigorously pursue mission accomplishment while mindful of the morale and welfare of Sailors and Marines."

"This is why I made it a point that on Labor Day, my first official act immediately after being posted as Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy is to visit our forward troops in Western Mindanao," Arevalo quoted Millan as saying.

Arevalo said Millan got "fresh reports on the ongoing operations."

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2014/05/02/new-navy-chief-visits-marine-wounded-troops-sulu-340867