ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The military is deploying more armored vehicles in Sulu, where a massive military operation against the Abu Sayyaf is under way.
Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola, commanding officer of the 1st Cavalry Squadron of the Mechanized Infantry Division, said the additional armor will reinforce the Light Cavalry troops already in Sulu.
The Western Mindanao Command has already deployed two Army brigades -- about 7,000 soldiers -- backed by troopers from the Army Rangers, Special Forces and the Light Reaction Company.
“This is our full complement for the ground troops to help crush the Abu Sayyaf group,” Batayola said.
The armored units deployed include M-113, V150 and Simba armored personnel carriers. Around nine armored vehicles that arrived in Zamboanga City have already rolled out for deployment to Sulu.
Batayola said that aside from the additional armor, howitzer cannons are also being deployed on the ground.