SECURITY FORCES ENCOUNTER WITH UNIDENTIFIED GROUP IN BASILAN; ONE DEAD

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

A reported member of suspected criminal group operating in Basilan was killed during an encounter with the Marines led by 1Lt Ryan Lacuesta PN(M), and members of the PNP last Sunday night, 09 August 2009. Killed during the encounter was a certain Padjing Pasa when his group of about eight armed men engaged in a fire fight with the combined group of 29th Company of Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 9 and a platoon of PNP Special Action Force in Bohe Piyat, Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Immediately, the 51st Company of the First Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT1) provided 81MM mortar indirect fire support. The enemy withdrew towards south direction after more or less 20 minutes exchange of fire.

After the encounter, the 51^st MC conducted clearing operations while Special Operations Platoon of 1^st Marine Battalion established blocking position together with one (1) Special Action Force Team from Pamatsaken Patrol Base.

he Marines and PNP will continue to strengthen its patrol operations to combat the proliferation of lawless elements in the South.

Marines Engage Enemy in Basilan Firefight

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Marines from two companies of Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 (MBLT-7) engaged enemies in a firefight on two separate occasions in Basilan Sunday evening, 09 August 2009. No casualties were reported on either side.
The 7^th Marine Company led by Sgt Jose Montano B Gonzales were conducting patrol at Brgy Bohelebung, Tipo- Tipo, Basilan at 8PM when they sighted an undetermined number of men suspected to be members of lawless and criminal group in the area. The Marines seized the initiative and firefight ensued. Two Marine teams from nearby detachments provided fire support prompting the enemies to withdraw into different directions.
In another incident, a detachment from the 27^th Marine Company under 2Lt Jojit Ofiaza was harassed around 10PM, same day by ten followers of a kidnap for ransom group of Pula Muntong and a certain Iklam. The team of 2Lt Ofiaza was manning their detachment at Tuburan when they were attacked. The firefight lasted for 45 minutes until the enemy withdrew to Sitio Marang Marang.
All Marine units in the area have been alerted for possible simultaneous attack by the enemy. The Marines have also intensified their intelligence monitoring to prevent similar incidents.

Marines with SAF, PNP Arrests Kidnapper of Micro-Finance Worker

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Combined operating troops of MBLT-1 headed by LTC FERNANDO R GOMEZ PN(M)(GSC) under the 1st Marine Brigade under the command of BGEN RUSTICO GUERRERO AFP, and SAF Battalion of the PNP under P/Supt Nestor Salcedo arrested kidnap suspect Melvin Akalon@ Otoh Akalon-- a rouge former MILF Group member-- in an early morning raid of 11 August 2009, Tuesday in Brgy Libug, Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Suspect Akalon, a former MILF member under MILF Comdr Amil Mingkong, was with the group of rouge MILF Group sub-cmdr Abygao Bayali during the captivty of micro-financing worker Lea Laping Patris in the hinterlands of Brgy Baiwas, Sumisip Municipality. Lea Patris was recovered by MBLT-1 operatives and CVOs/municipal guards in June 7.

Akalon is also one of the suspects in the ambush of PNP personnel in Brgy Libug, Sumisip, Basilan Province in June 28. He admitted to have been involved in several encounters with CAA members in Baiwas in 2004 while he was still an active member of the MILF under said Amil Mingkong and one Bugao Bayali.

These unrelenting combat operations to rid the province of Basilan of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group, rouge MILF members, and other criminal elements will continue amidst humanitarian and development projects that the Navy is employing. The Navy leadership under VADM Ferdinand S Golez, the Flag Officer in Command and MGEN Juancho Sabban, the Marine Corps Commandant pursues a more vigorous peaceful and confidence-building initiatives on the one hand and less of combat operations on the other. The Navy adopts a paradigm shift of holistic approach as it bats for attainment of lasting peace and development in southern Philippines.

661 Alicia, Bohol Residents Avail of Free Medical- Dental Services

BY: ENS JUDYLINE B CANONEO PN
Public Affairs Officer, Naval Forces Central

The Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) in coordination with the Association of Government Information Officers Region VII (AGIO-7) conducted a joint medical-dental mission at Barangay Poblacion, Alicia, Bohol last July 24, 2009.

The activity was a combined effort of the different government agencies with participation of volunteer doctors, nurses and dentists from Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Air Force and of the 51^st and 511^th Marine Reserve Battalions of the Philippine Marines in collaboration with the local government unit of Alicia, Bohol, and the Philippine Information Agency Region VII (PIA-7) along with the Members of 802^nd Brigade of 3ID, Philippine Army which provided security during the entire activity.

About 487 patients with medical cases and 174 dental patients benefited from the activity. Services include: medical consultation, blood pressure (BP) and vital signs check-up, circumcision, dental check-up, and tooth extraction. Aside from medical and dental activities, the residents also availed of the free haircut. Beneficiaries were also given free medicines and vitamins provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The joint activity was launched not only to deliver medical services to the indigent residents of Alicia, Bohol but likewise to bring the information caravan of the AGIO-7 to the local populace of the said municipality.

Several information consultations along with other related government services were being addressed by the Public Information Officers (PIOs) of the different government agencies, namely: processing of housing loans and other services thru PAG-IBIG fund, tax processes of the BIR, SSS members benefits, services rendered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), procedures in joining the military and the proper procedures in correcting deficiencies of personal records at the Civil Registrar’s Office and at the National Statistics Office (NSO).