AFP pulls out special forces battalion in Surigao del Sur

BUTUAN CITY — The Second Special Forces Battalion (2nd SFB), an elite combat unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was pulled out on Saturday from its area of responsibility (AOR) in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur.

San Miguel town and its neighboring areas were the former sites of skirmishes between government security forces and New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In April last year, two soldiers and a civilian were killed, while seven other persons were injured in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by the NPA at Barangay Mahayag in San Miguel town, record from the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade said.

This was followed by a series of gun battles in September, also last year in the highland areas of San Miguel town and its neighboring areas, it said.

The 2nd SFB, was among the four combat maneuvering battalions deployed since late last year to neutralize the communist rebellion in Surigao del Sur province.

Top military commanders in northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) said their “peace and development program” through the “bayanihan” approach will continue without let up despite of the movement of this elite force in Surigao del Sur.

The remaining troops left in Surigao del Sur currently implementing their peace and development programs are the 36th Infantry Battallion (36th IB), 75th IB and 16th IB.

In January 2015, provincial and municipal officials of Surigao del Sur, led by former Governor Johnny T. Pimentel who is now the congressman of the second district, requested more troops to help attain peace in the remaining towns in an effort to pave way the economic activity of the province.

Meanwhile, incumbent Gov. Vicente T. Pimentel, Jr. yesterday said the provincial government is fully supporting the peace and development of the AFP. “This program really a big opportunity for us to implement our economic programs, especially those in far-flung areas,” he said.