MANILA — The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday deployed the 12th Civil-Military Operation Battalion and the so-called “Hijab” troopers to help in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of war-devastated Marawi City.
Send-off ceremonies took place at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said.
He added that the unit will be placed under operational control of the Joint Task Force Ranao.
Villanueva said the 12th Civil-Military Operation Battalion, which consists of 105 troopers, will assist Joint Task Force Ranao in establishing a safe and secured environment to give way for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation (RRR) efforts to be undertaken by Task Force Bangon Marawi.
The PA spokesperson said these troops will also focus in addressing the recruitment and exploitation undertaken by remnants of the terrorist group espousing violent extremism.
The 25 “Hijab” troopers, meanwhile, will help local government units and other concerned agencies in facilitating the needs and requirements of internally displaced persons, conduct peace education and psycho-social intervention in support of Joint Task Force Ranao’s civil-military operations.
“The Philippine Army will remain steadfast in performing its mandate, to serve the people and in securing the land. Despite of the prevailing security challenges, we will keep our word to support and extend our very best for the immediate recovery of Marawi,” Villanueva said. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
