More soldiers deployed vs Abus

MANILA, Philippines — The military has deployed an additional 1,700 Army troopers in Jolo, Sulu to help crush the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups in Mindanao.

Troopers of 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) boarded the BRP Tarlac that took them to Jolo on Friday, according to Army spokesman and public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

The team will be dispatched in areas under the jurisdiction of the Western Mindanao Command.

Zagala said aside from addressing threats posed by local terrorist groups, the soldiers would fill the force requirement of the newly activated 11th Infantry Division.

“The 1BCT is the Army’s contingency force that is capable of addressing conventional, unconventional and asymmetric threats. It is composed of an intelligence unit, combat engineer company, aviation, explosives and ordnance platoon, and air defense artillery battery, among others,” Zagala said.

Since its formation in December 2018, the unit has participated in the recently concluded Salaknib and Balikatan exercises with the US’ Pacific Command.

“The men and women of the 1BCT will ensure peace and security in Sulu. They are men and women of action and we commend them for going about their mission without fanfare, an attitude they carry even beyond their service in the military,” he said.

Army chief Maj. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat said that for several years now, the military’s peacekeeping efforts have stopped the terrorist groups from spreading destruction outside Jolo.

“We should remain determined in sustaining our internal operations and safeguarding the security of our territories. Let us preserve our hard-earned gains for the peace and development in the Mindanao Region,” he said.