ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – For allegedly failing to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf group and its kidnapping activities, the 2nd Marine Brigade will be pulled out from Sulu and replaced by an Army unit, a source from the military said yesterday.
The source said the 102nd Army Brigade based in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, would replace the Marine brigade. Another army brigade from the 5th Division in Northern Luzon will be brought in to cover the area that will be vacated.
The official said the 102nd Army Brigade was chosen since some of its soldiers were residents or previously deployed in Sulu. “They know the territory and culture which is best for the civil military operation to reach out with the community,” the source said.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of Western Mindanao Command, refused to confirm the pullout for security reasons.
“Any changes will just be implemented without announcements as it will endanger our troops and unnecessarily alert the bad elements,” he said in a text message.