SAF secures Zambo as Army troops pull out

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A quick reaction team from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) was on standby to respond to emergency situation here, a local crisis management committee (CMC) official said yesterday.

The deployment of the SAF team came after the last battalion of the Philippine Army who fought with the rebels of the Misuari-faction  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were pulled out.

The 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) under Lt. Col. Johnson Jemar Aseron the last group to pull out from the war-torn district since they were deployed to the village of Sta. Barbara area last Sept. 9. 

Aseron said they have accomplished their mission in the city.

Like the rest of the soldiers that were pulled out, the elements of the Army’s 32nd IB subjected themselves to voluntary inspection to erase civilians’ doubts that the soldiers took valuables from the ravaged village of Sta. Barbara.

The 32nd IB suffered one fatality and 16 wounded at the height of the armed conflict with the MNLF rebels. 

The Task Force Zamboanga, the city police and a company of marines have taken the security responsibility of the area while rehabilitation has started.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco Salazar, CMC chairperson, said the SAF augmented the security forces but would mainly carry out anti-terrorism operations.

Col. Adrelino Colina, commander of the TFZ, said troops have been deployed also in east and west coasts of this city as part of the security campaign.