AFP chief: Marine brigade shift to Cotabato part of ‘strategy’

Armed Forces chief General Ricardo David on Wednesday justified a recent decision to transfer a Marine brigade from Basilan province, a territory known to host Abu Sayyaf lairs, to central Mindanao, where the strongest bailiwicks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are located. David said the move was only part of the AFP’s “operational strategy," since the combat units belonging to the 1st Marine Brigade are “national maneuver forces" that can be deployed anywhere in the country. He added that the pullout had nothing to do with “inaccurate" reports linking the move to a plan to supposedly pave the way for the appointment of a general from the Philippine Army to the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom). “It’s not actually what’s in the news," he said, referring to the alleged plan to make room for a top Army commander in the Wesmincom. The Wesmincom is dominated by Navy and Marines forces, but with the pullout of the 1st Marine Brigade from Basilan, the Army becomes the dominant force, thus supposedly making possible the appointment of an Army general to the Wesmincom. Marine Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, current Wesmincom chief, is set to retire on Wednesday next week. The AFP chief likewise laughed off claims that the transfer of the Marine brigade to central Mindanao was part of the military’s shift of operational focus to the MILF, since the secessionist organization is already in the process of reviving stalled peace stalks with the government. Cotabato locals asked for it National Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin, for his part, maintained that the Marine brigade was transferred to central Mindanao following requests for more security from the people in Cotabato localities. “The Marines were requested by the people of Cotabato, especially when there was a rise of kidnappings in Cotabato City. This was requested by the business, the prominent people, to bring back the Marines. The Marines were previously stationed there," he said. Gazmin added that the request was supported by religious and local leaders in the area. The defense chief likewise assured that the pullout of the Marine brigade will not result in a security vacuum in Basilan, especially with heightened terror threats due to the recent foiled “mail-bomb" attack on the US. Gazmin also said in the same press briefing that the country remains safe for foreigners despite travel warnings issued by five countries against the Philippines, since troops are deployed in areas where local terror groups are known to operate. (See: Defense chief: PHL still safe for foreigners despite travel warnings) He made the assurance after five countries – the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand – issued separate travel warnings over potential terrorist threats in the Philippines. (See: US, 4 other countries warn of terrorist attacks in PHL)—With Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV