More troops deployed to help Marawi rehab

THE Philippine Army has deployed a total of 130 additional troops to take part in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, a military official said.

Philippine Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Louie Villanueva, said a simple sendoff ceremony was held Thursday, June 21 at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, for 105 soldiers from the 12th Civil-Military Operation Kabukludan Battalion and 25 Hijab troopers.

He said the Kabukludan battalion specialized in the conduct of civil affairs and information support which can provide assistance to Joint Task Force (JTF) Ranao in the establishment of safe and secured environment in order to pave way for the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation effort in Marawi.

Villanueva said the unit will also focus on addressing the recruitment and exploitation reportedly being conducted by the remnants of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group which occupied Marawi City during the five-month armed conflict in 2017.

The Hijab troopers, on the other hand, consists mainly of female personnel whose main task is to support the local government unit and other concerned agencies in addressing and facilitating the needs and requirements of internally displaced persons, conduct peace education and psycho social intervention in support of JTG Ranao’s Civil-Military Operations.

“The Philippine Army will remain steadfast in performing its mandate, to serve the people and in securing the land. Despite of the prevailing security challenges, we will keep our word to support and extend our very best for the immediate recovery of Marawi,” said Villanueva. Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo