PH Navy SEALs role against Abu Sayyaf hailed

AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. speaks before members of the Naval Special Operations Group, during the military unit’s anniversary on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. PHILIPPINE NAVY PHOTO

The Armed Forces chief lauded on Tuesday the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) for its role against the state’s enemies.

The Navy’s NAVSOG served as the first line of defense at Lake Lanao when ISIS-linked terrorists attacked Marawi in 2017.

General Carlito Galvez Jr. cited the capabilities and competence of the unit, which is considered the country’s version of the US Navy SEALS.

“Your core competence makes you stand among the others,” Galvez said during NAVSOG’s anniversary rites at Sangley Point in Cavite.

“You are highly capable of conducting direct action missions, demolition raids, target assault, maritime sniper operations, gas and oil platform recovery and high-risk visit board search and seizure operations,” Galvez noted.

These skills have served the military well in its campaign against rebels and terrorists, he said.

“For the past years, this expertise and experience were instrumental in winning against our enemies,” said the AFP chief. He cited the operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group in different areas of the country.

NAVSOG later named Galvez, who was guest of honor and speaker at the event, as an honorary SEAL member.

“To be welcomed as a member of such a vaunted force is indeed an honor,” Galvez said.

He took pride in joining other honorary members like former DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and former AFP Chiefs of Staff Generals Alexander Yano, Ricardo David Jr., Emmanuel Bautista, and Rey Leonardo Guerrero. /cbb