by Vic Larato
ZAMBOANGA CITY, 08 March. (PIA 9) - - The City government of Zamboanga represented by Mayor Celso Lobregat and the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army, represented by its commanding general, Brig. General Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, recently signed a memorandum of agreement to renew the presence of the Special Citizen Active Auxiliary (SCAA) unit in Zamboanga City.
 |
| Mayor Celso Lobregat confers with Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual (left) and BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division of the Philippine Army (2nd from left) and other Army officers during the latters' courtesy call in City Hall. ROLLY CARPIO |
The signing of the accord was done during Gen. Cruz’ courtesy call in City Hall and witnessed by Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual and other Army officers.
Under the agreement, the city government shall be responsible for the monthly allowance of the SCAA which must be coursed through the Armed Forces of the Philippines unit commander having the authority over the SCAA.
In addition, the city government shall provide the SCAA with complete uniform and equipment, and shall also be responsible for any claim arising from personal injury, damages or death caused by or to any of the SCAA when such injury or death is incurred in the course of lawful performance of duty.
 |
| Mayor Celso Lobregat and 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division chief BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III formally sign the accord renewing the city government's support to SCAA forces in the city. ROLLY CARPIO |
The 1s Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army, on the other hand, shall provide the city government of Zamboanga with SCAA in order to secure and maintain peace and order in the city against terrorists, insurgents and other lawless elements.
It shall also be responsible for the screening and selection of SCAA members, with the commanding general exercising direct control and supervision over the SCAA assigned in the city in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the AFP.
In the event of imminent or actual attack on the city of Zamboanga by insurgents and lawless elements, the 1D, PA shall have the authority to muster the other SCAA units under its operational control to secure the city.
Furthermore, the 1ID, PA shall also provide the SCAA with firearms and ammunitions during the conduct of the training until its actual deployment. Nonetheless, due to budgetary constraints of the government, the city government may, at its own expense, shoulder the necessary expenses for the purchase of ammunitions during the training and actual deployment of the militiamen. (JPA/VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)
