The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed more soldiers in the Northern Luzon Command to boost the government's fight against the communist insurgency in the area.
NolCom chief Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. said these soldiers have previously worked in combatting terrorism in Sulu province for more than six years.
Soldiers from the 4th Marine Brigade and Marine Battalion Landing Team 8 that arrived on Friday in Ilocos Norte will augment the ground forces involved in internal security operations against the remaining units of the communist terrorist group within Northern and Central Luzon.
These marine units were formerly part of the Western Mindanao Command that has successfully recovered up to 572 high-powered firearms and facilitated the 222 surrenderees of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group.
Through a joint area of operations, the soldiers of 4MBde and MBLT8 have also assisted the settlement of 23 rido (clan feuds) in Sulu.
Torres commended the troops for their accomplishments during their previous deployments, citing the efforts of the soldiers for establishing a "terrorism to tourism" program in the Sulu province.
The marines are now repositioned under NolCom's operational control to support its thrusts toward ending local communist armed conflict in North and Central Luzon.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc thanked the soldiers, whom he referred to as true public servants, for prioritizing the well-being of Filipinos, as well as peace and order within the communities.
Meanwhile, Torres said the NolCom will fully support the marine units in ensuring peace, security and development in the areas of Luzon.
"We will optimize the employment of your capabilities as a unit in order to make sure we win the fight against communist terrorists in NolCom's joint area of operations," he added.
The deployed soldiers will also perform necessary Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations and Joint Law Enforcement Support Operations of the AFP.
