Zambo counter-terror unit has new commander

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) installed a new commander of the counter-terror unit here after its commander, who defended this city from the rebel siege two years ago, formally bowed out of military service Wednesday.

Col. Andrelino Colina, commander of the Task Group Zamboanga and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1983, was replaced by Marine Col. Arthur Biyu as the new commander during an indoor ceremony.

Commodore Premitivo Gopo, chief of the Naval forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), represented the AFP and presided the turnover of command.

Colina, 56, who reached the military mandatory age of retirement, was instrumental for his leadership in preventing 400 rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from taking the city during the violent siege in September 2013.

Prior to the siege, Colina had warned the military about the impending attack but the administration of retired General Rey Ardo downplayed the threat of MNLF leader Nur Misuari.

Colina’s forces, along with other units of the military and police, eventually flushed out the rebels after 21 days.

Only the local government and community recognized Colina’s leadership, who was also instrumental in the prevention of several kidnapping and bombing attempts, including the crackdown of rice smuggling activities in Zamboanga City.

Gopo, who is a ‘mistah’ of Colina in the PMA Class 1983, lauded Colina during the turnover ceremony for leading the multi-tasking counter-terror unit here for more than two years.