Navy deploys 500 troops to Sulu, to pull out other soldiers for re-training

MANILA — The Philippine Navy has deployed 500 of its troops to form one of its marine battalion landing teams to Sulu to join other government forces there.

The Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 was sent to Talipao, Sulu, on Monday, to relieve the MBLT 2, which will be pulled out to undergo retraining.

According to Col. Edgard Arevalo, the Navy spokesperson, the marine battalions are rotated every year in going on duty in southern Mindanao so that they can undergo retraining to keep them up to date.

“It’s part of a regular retraining process. It should be two battalions today, but we can’t do that because of operational requirements, so we try to rotate at least one battalion a year. We need to retrain, to refresh them, to retrain and refurbish them for their future deployment,” Arevalo said on Tuesday.

The Navy conducted a send-off ceremony on Monday at Sangley Point for the MBLT 1, led by Col. Noel Beleran.

The MBLT 1 underwent retraining before they were deployed to join the other Philippine Marines in the operational area in Sulu.

Navy flag officer in command, Vice Adm. Caesar Taccad, reminded the troops that they would not only serve as warriors and combatants in their area of deployment.

“As part of the Fleet-Marine Team, you shall be our envoy that will bring lasting peace in Mindanao. Bring hope to our communities that security and progress is within reach. Become the solid proof that their Navy and their Armed Forces of the Philippines are their sole protectors,” Taccad said.

The deployment of the Marines to Mindanao is part of the Navy’s support to the AFP’s internal security operations in the region.

Each battalion has at least 450 to 500 personnel, according to Arevalo. Sulu currently has three marine battalions assigned to the province.  SFM