ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) accorded farewell honors on Friday to the remaining Marine soldiers assigned in Sulu.
“Much as we would like you to stay in Western Mindanao and work with the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Western Mindanao Command, the requirements of our national security demand you to leave and proceed to another geographical assignment,” Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., NFWM commander, said during the sendoff ceremony.
“We have to further enhance our security posture in Northern Philippines, obviously for territorial and internal defense operations,” he said.
Adaci gave assurance that the pullout of the Marines did not create a security vacuum. He said the 11th Infantry Division deployed Army units in Sulu.
The 4th Marine Brigade and its predecessor, Philippine Marine Ready Force, and Marine Battalion Landing Team 8 were deployed in Sulu for six years.
Adaci commended the Marine units for their projects, programs aand civil-military operations that benefited the people.