In Maguindanao: Marines activate ‘rapid reaction’ unit

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The Marine Corps activated here yesterday a three-company "rapid reaction command" to operate under the supervision of the anti-kidnapping Task Force Tugis of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Col. Alexander Balutan, commander of the 6th ID, said the command, composed of the 27th, 37th and 57th Marine companies, will be tapped to guard strategic areas in Cotabato City and surrounding areas, enforce a city-wide ban on the carrying of firearms and serve as a reactionary group against kidnappings.

Cotabato City and surrounding towns in Ma—guindanao are within the jurisdiction of the 6th ID which has two anti-crime units — Task Force Tugis, led by Brig. Gen. Trifonio Salazar, and Task Group Cotabato, under Col. Ricardo Halad of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

Hotelier Antonio Santos, vice president for Mindanao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the combined presence of the police, the Army and Marines in the city and nearby towns augurs well with the initiatives of the Central Mindanao business community to project government superiority over criminal syndicates in the region.