Marines form new strike force

MANILA, Philippines – The elite Philippine Marines has created a new strike force that would be deployed against terrorists and other lawless elements, a military official reported.

Lt. Col. Jonas Lumawag, Marines spokesman, said the newly formed unit was dubbed as the Marine Raiders, a quick reaction force.

The first Marine Raiders unit was airlifted yesterday by an Air Force C130 cargo plane from Manila to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Lumawag said the creation of the Marine Raiders is part of the program of Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino to enhance the operational effectiveness of the military unit and to provide a rapid deployment force to assist military forces in strategic areas of the country.

The first Marine Raiders team, a company-size unit of more than 100 men, would be placed under the operational control of the Naval Forces West in Puerto Princesa City. They will be based at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 in Palawan.

“Palawan is a vast territory so we would deploy them there,” he said, adding that the province is also a passageway to the southern part of the country, where some local terrorists are believed to be hiding.

Lumawag said the new unit’s members were pulled out from the elite Marine Force Recon, which was instrumental in the killing of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani in September 2006.

“It is similar to the Army’s Light Reaction Battalion, which is focused on internal security operations against terrorists,” he said.

The Marine Raiders will also operate against pirates operating in the open seas and coastal areas.

He said the unit, which would later be increased in number to cover other strategic areas of the country, would provide manpower and fire support to Marine battalions deployed in the frontlines.

Lumawag said the unit would also be equipped with vehicles and vessels that would allow them to move quickly when the need arises. – James Mananghaya