The Philippine Navy takes its stance in the quest to end insurgency and crush lawlessness violence in southern Philippines with the deployment of a battalion of well-equipped marines, a patrol ship, and three multi-purpose attack crafts (MPACs) to Mindanao and Palawan.

On Friday, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Admiral Ferdinand Golez, led the send off ceremony for some 600 soldiers, who compose the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8), who were re-deployed to the field after undergoing six months of retraining and refurbishing and more than ten years of notable combat accomplishments in the provinces of Lanao, Sulu, and Basilan.

With this development, the intensified drive to flush the Abu Sayyaf bandits and other lawless groups from their lairs in southwestern Mindanao takes a sharp turn in favor of the government with the fresh input of a battalion of battle-hardened marines.

Philippine Marine Corps Commandant, Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino and Philippine Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Geronimo Defensor joined Golez in the send-off ceremony for the officers and men of MBLT-8 under the command of Major Yuri Pesigan. The family, friends, and loved ones of the marines, along with other officers from the General Headquarters provided the boost in the morale of the members of MBLT-8.

“To our 8th Marine Battalion who will be going to be deployed in Western Command, we would like to give them the assurance that they will be going out there to show our value as far as our quest for lasting peace and eventually progress and development is concerned. Our Marine Corps will be out there to finally help in the completion of our task as far as internal security operations is concerned in Western Command and of course our prayers will always be with them, that they will be safe, out of harm’s way at all times,” Golez said.

According to the Navy commander, the troops “had been prepared for this” having underwent training for the past six months. “I know they are well-prepared, well-equipped, and their morale is very high,” he said.

In turn, the Marine Battalion Landing Team – 9 (MBLT-9) which the MBLT-8 will replace in Palawan, will be redeployed to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, particularly in the areas of Basilan and Sulu. The navy also deployed its floating assets – the BRP Magat Salamat (PS-20), BRP Federico Martir (PG-385) and three newly-commissioned Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs) were also deployed to Palawan and Mindanao.

“The deployment of the 8th Marine Battalion and our floating assets is in response to the requirements of higher headquarters to address the need for increased tempo operations in the operational area. By this action, we serve notice to our maritime people that your navy – as always – is at the forefront of the internal security operations of our of our maritime country ,” Golez said.

He emphasized what they were sending off were “the marines who are best known for their discipline and courage in battle’ and our sailors distinguished for their skills and technical abilities are always ready to go. Indeed, we are sending the best of our fleet-marine team.”