ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Oct. 2 (PIA) – The 3rd Marine Brigade of the
Philippine Marine Corps goes back to the province of Palawan on September 28
after a long stint tour of duty in Jolo, Sulu.
In a press release, AFP’s 6th Civil Relations Group Commander
Maj. Joseph D. Bugaoan said the 3rd Marine Brigade comes back home
in Palawan as an added unit in Western Philippines to realign forces in the
Western Command area of responsibility.
“Way-back in the 1970’s, the 3rd Marine Brigade was an organic
unit of Western Command and contributed a lot in the internal and territorial
defense operation of the country,” Bugaoan revealed.
Commander of Western Command, LtGen. Juancho M. Sabban AFP said that it
is high time for the troops to come back home, for they can be a big factor in
sustaining and boosting the province’s thrust in securing, protecting and
developing the mainland up to the Philippine territorial waters.
“The arrival of the 3rd Marine Brigade would definitely
beefed-up the number and strength of personnel under Western Command area of
responsibility. This will further enhance WESCOM’s capabilities and function as
a partner-advocate of the Palaweňos in enforcing our sovereignty towards
environmental preservation and protection towards peace, development and
territorial security,” Sabban said.
The 3rd Marine Brigade under the command of Col. Andre Costales
PN(M) (GSC) will be an additional unit and manpower, responsible in handling,
supporting and supervising the two marine battalions, presently deployed from
north to south of the province.
Bugaoan said added responsibility at stake would be as the commander
over-all in-charge of the units deployed in the Kalayaan Group of Islands
(KIG). (JPA/6CRG/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)
