Elite troops arrive to secure Cebu

A total of 58 members of an elite Philippine Army unit based in Bohol arrived yesterday in Cebu to replace the soldiers who were sent to reinforce government troops fighting with Moro rebels in Zamboanga City.

The soldiers, who disembarked from the BRP Tausug, were welcomed yesterday by Central Command executive officer Lt. Col. Eduardo Malig-on at the Rafael Ramos naval base headquarters yesterday.

Capt. Allan Vildosola, commander of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Company said they will do their best to maintain peace and order in Cebu province. “It is not hard to maintain peace and order here (unlike) the war zone in Zamboanga City,” he said.

The 5th Special Forces Company has been based in Bohol since 2008. Navy spokesman Ensign Jaypee Abuan said that it is just a usual rotation of duty.

Malig-on said they will focus on securing coastal areas which are the usual entry points of communist rebels. /Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag