Westmincom deactivates 2 anti-terror task forces

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines — Two anti-terrorism task forces created to go after Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu have been deactivated after about a decade of operations, the military announced yesterday.

Joint Task Force Basilan and Joint Task Force Sulu were disbanded with the activation of the Joint Task Force Orion on Monday to continue internal security operations in the two provinces.

Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo, Western Mindanao Command chief, led the deactivation of the two task forces in ceremonies held at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-Bus in Jolo, Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patriomonio and Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, outgoing commanders of the two task forces, furled their flag symbols signifying the end of their missions.

Crespillo conferred meritorious achievement medals on Patrimonio and Luzon for the successful campaign to attain peace and stability in Sulu and Basilan.

He named Patrimonio as Joint Task Force Orion head.

Crespillo said the newly activated task force would be a ”specialized and highly adaptive force” to address internal security and territorial defense operations in the region.

“The new task force will draw upon a valuable lesson to learn with our experiences in Sulu and Basilan and apply them to a broader context,” he said. ”This marks a new chapter in our journey. I am confident that together we will rise and meet the challenges.”

Crespillo encouraged military forces to continue to realize the aspirations in pursuing inclusive peace and stability in Sulu and Basilan.