130 CV policemen now in Zamboanga

CEBU, Philippines - After being stalled for a day, 130 Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 7 policemen have finally arrived in Mindanao yesterday afternoon to help government forces battling separatist rebels there.

Supt. Clifford Gairanod, RPSB 7 chief, confirmed to The FREEMAN their arrival in Zamboanga City at past 5 pm.

In a long distance interview shortly after they set foot in the place, Gairanod said the situation in the city has worsened.

 "Niabot na sa city ang kagubot. Wala gyud miy tulogan ani. (Fighting has reached the city.  There would be no sleep for us)," said an anxious-sounding Gairanod.

He and his men were supposed to fly for Zamboanga City at 4 pm last Tuesday, but got delayed at the Benito Ebuen  Airbase in Mactan before an Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command C130 transport plane flew them to the place yesterday.

The Central Visayas troops were billeted in Camp Kawa-Kawa and served dinner before being immediately deployed.

Asked if his men are physically and emotionally prepared, Gairanod, who has been in similar situations before, paused for some seconds and said, "Hopefully".

The police officers, who only brought with them a few clothes, would be in combat duty in Zamboanga City for at least a month.

Senior Supt. Edward Carranza, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 regional directorial staff chief, said as augmentation, the RPSB 7 personnel would serve as blocking force in support of the military.

"They will not engage the rebels, but in the event that during checkpoints may (there are) rebel forces, they will engage following police operational procedure," said Carranza.

The 130 RPSB policemen had undergone a  45-day Special Counter-insurgency Operations Unit Training or Scout Ranger training.  Their being in Zamboanga would test what they learned.

"They are basically trained. It (being deployed for combat operations) seldom happens din so it's a challenge for them," said Carranza, saying the risk is part of their job as law enforcers.

The RPSB 7 policemen will be operationally under PRO 9 in Zamboanga. — (FREEMAN)