Cebu policemen may be pulled out from Zambo

CEBU, Philippines - If the conflict in Zamboanga City will stabilize within three months, the Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7 will need to pull out the 130 members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) - 7 that was recently sent to the city.

The said troops will then be replaced with another batch of RPSB policemen, said PRO-7 director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino.

Constantino explained that the troops were sent to stay for a month but would need to be replaced in case they would be extended until three months.

The RPSB-7 policemen were sent to Zamboanga City last Wednesday to help government forces battle rebels under the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The troops underwent a 45-day Special Counter-Insurgency Operation Unit Training or Scout Ranger training.

If replacement troops would be sent, Constantino said training would be done but would take place after the 130 policemen will arrive from Zamboanga City.

The said troops sent to the city is under the operational control of Police Regional Office (PRO)-9 Director Juanito Vaño.

“Sa ngayon they are all directed to conduct check point operations and patrol in different strategic areas,” Constantino said.

If there is an attack, RPSB policemen are directed to retaliate as they are well-equipped in term of logistics.

Supt. Clifford Gairanod, RPSB-7 chief, has been giving an update to the PRO-7 every other three hours. —/ATO (FREEMAN)