Clearing forces in Zamboanga City feted

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - The Philippine National Police (PNP) feted more than 300 members of the clearing forces who rid the war-torn district of unexploded ordnance, firearms and remains of the rebels and civilians killd during the 22-day siege last month.

Police Director Carmelo Valmoria, commander of the Special Action Force (SAF) who heads the Task Force Suyud, honored his men in simple rites at the police headquarters here after they completed the clearing operation Tuesday.

The Task Force Suyud composed of personnel from Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), SAF, Regional Crime Lab 9, Regional Public Safety Battalion 9 (RPSB), Zamboanga City Police Office, Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD), Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP).

Valmoria and PRO9 director Senior Superintendent Juanito Vaño  awarded the security forces with commendation, merit and efficiency medals for their service in ensuring the safety of the displaced civilians who  will return to the war-ravaged barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo, Mariki, Talon-Talon, Kasanyangan and Mampang.

The barangays were directly affected when close to 500 rebels under the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front  held civilians hostage beginning Sept. 9.

The Task Force Suyud recovered 396 unexploded ordnance, 19 firearms and 53 cadavers and skeletal remains. - Roel Pareño