Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has initiated a counter-terrorism training for 125 elite forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mimaropa region.
Police Brig. Gen. Joel B. Doria, director of the Mimaropa (Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regional police, said the training was attended by 45 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) assigned in the region and 80 members from the Provincial Mobile Force Companies (PMFC) of Oriental Mindoro and the Occidental Mindoro Police Provincial Offices (PPO).
Photo: PRO-Mimaropa
Doria said the Joint AFP-PNP Forward Observer (FO) training for Counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare units, hosted by the the 203rd Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, is expected to enhance the capabilities of the PNP and the AFP in responding to various threats in Mindoro Island.
“This training is a testament to the commitment of the PNP and AFP to provide a safe and secure environment for the people in this region, especially on the island of Mindoro,” said Doria.
The Mimaropa region, especially the Mindoro provinces, used to be the hotbed of communist insurgency in the country.
Security threats from the communist rebels have been dwindling over the years, with the military saying that the armed communist fighters have already been reduced to around 2,000—from more than 20,000 in the 1980s.
Aside from the communist rebels, the southernmost part of Palawan was a security problem in the past from Moro rebels.
Doria has expressed his gratitude for the successful conduct of the Joint Forward Observer (FO) training for Counter-terrorism and Unconventional Warfare units, highlighting that it strengthened the partnership and interoperability between the PNP and AFP in the region, particularly on the island of Mindoro.
For his part, 2ID commading general Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang said the PNP’s counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare units have been an integral part of the Brigade’s success in Mindoro Island.
“Inter-operability is a game changer. He added that the PNP units, when part of the brigade operations, will be supported by all assets at hand,” said Cabangbang. — Aaron Recuenco
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
