Joint Task Group activates to Fight Terrorism, Criminalities

PAGADIAN CITY Zamboanga del Sur (March 29, 2019) – The Philippine Army through the 102nd Infantry (IGSOON) Brigade of the Army’s Premier Infantry (TABAK) Division, has activated the Joint Task Group Sibugay Bay at its Headquarters in Barangay Sanito, Ipil municipality in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

       

Capt. Clint Antipala, Division Public Affairs Office Acting Chief disclosed that the activation was realized through the inter-agency collaboration between and among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard and the Local Government Units of Zamboanga Sibugay which aims to synchronize the efforts against all threat groups in the province.

Antipala said, the newly activated Joint Task Group will suppress threats of terrorism and fight criminalities particularly kidnapping, piracy, extortion, drug trafficking, proliferation of firearms and other illegal activities.

The 102nd Infantry Brigade of the Army’s Premier Infantry (TABAK) Division together with the Police Provincial Office (PPO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) and League of Municipalities of Zamboanga Sibugay Province signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the ceremony as a testament for their support and commitment to the Joint Task Group.

Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Yap Palma was is very thankful for the activation of the Joint Task Group. He also pledged his commitment of support on administrative and operational matters.

“Do your job, enforce the law and we will also do our part. Anything happens in this province is also our responsibility”, Palma added.

The Joint Task Group Sibugay Bay is composed of six sectors headed by Col. Jose Randolf Sino Cruz, the Deputy Brigade Commander of 102 Infantry Brigade. Each sector is composed of the personnel from the Army, the PNP and the PCG which are deployed along the coastal areas of the province primarily to perform joint maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection.

“As the operating arm of the 1st Infantry Division, we will adhere to jointly and promptly collaborate with other agencies involved in addressing the peace and security in our area of responsibility where the province of Zamboanga Sibugay belongs,” Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, 102nd Infantry Brigade Commander said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the efforts of all the stakeholders involved which led to the creation of the Joint Task Group Sibugay Bay.

“The JTG Sibugay Bay will definitely boost our efforts in our campaign against terrorism, criminalities and other forms of threats in the province because of our strong collaboration with the LGUs and other law enforcement agencies, with the full support of our local communities in the ambit of the whole-of-nation approach,” Ancan added.

“I assure you our full support on the operational and administrative needs of the unit in order to accomplish the mission of the Joint Task Group Sibugay Bay in the furtherance of peace, security and development of the province,” Ancan concluded. (By JONG CAION with DPAO PR and photos)