US military and Philippine security forces conduct medical mission in Tawi-Tawi
US service members, Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, local government employees, and local health practitioners conducted a joint medical outreach project on Banaran Island, Municipality of Sapa-Sapa, TawiTawi on October 23, 2019.
The medical mission provided health services, ranging from preventative medical and dental checkups to minor surgical procedures, for more than 500 local residents of Banaran Island and other surrounding communities.
US Indo-Pacific Command and US based non-profit organization Spirit of America funded the medical mission, which involved more than 85 personnel from the PNP Special Action Forces 51st Special Action Company, PNP 1st Maritime Group-Special Operation Unit, Tawi-Tawi Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Sapa-Sapa Municipal Office, Sapa-Sapa Health Office, Barangay Banaran Health Workers, Bongao Doctors, and US Special Operations Command Pacific soldiers.
"The medical mission that was conducted here in Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi is a great opportunity for the people to receive medical assistance. We are deeply thankful for the partnership that led to the success of this event. Our partnership with the United States is getting stronger and we hope that this event will not be our last joint activity,” said Police Lieutenant Ernie Moises B. Cacdac, Public Community
Relations Officer, 1st Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group.
“We have for a long time supported our partners here in the Philippines in combating and countering violent extremists through a variety of community outreach programs and projects. We are here to support our allies in doing the hard work of increasing resiliency amongst the local populace in what are historically conflict-prone areas,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ramil Leslie, US Army.
"As a longstanding friend, partner, and ally, the United States will continue to work closely with our Philippine counterparts to strengthen community resiliency in remote areas through medical outreach and other programs," he added