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More Marines arrive in Cotabato to prevent kidnappings


COTABATO CITY – More Philippines Marines from Basilan have arrived in Cotabato City to address security issues, especially after the number of kidnapping incidents went up recently. Four companies arrived in Cotabato, bringing to five the number of companies of Philippine Marines of 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team in the city. In a simple ceremony, Commodore Philip Lacayan, commander of Naval Forces in Eastern Mindanao led the Marines turned them over to Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr at Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao. Guiani said the arrival of four more Marine companies completed the deployment of the Marine battalion to counter kidnap gangs and extortionist groups. The Marines will be deployed to the city’s 37 barangays said to have been used by kidnap gangs as escape routes. Two wealthy traders in the city were kidnapped in the past three months. “We thank President Aquino for sending in the Marines who will help the Army in containing lawlessness in the city and its environs," Guiani said. The battle-tested Marines are veterans of the campaign against extremists Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan. The Army Special Forces Brigade replaced them in Basilan. Other Marine battalions will be deployed in other parts of Central Mindanao, especially General Santos City and parts of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. Specifically, the Marine elements will move to Lebak, Kalamansig and Palembang, three coastal towns of Sultan Kudarat. Abu Sayyaf members allegedly used these towns as entry points to mainland Mindanao to avoid the heat of military campaign in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other business organizations sought the entry of Marines after two of its prominent members were snatched in August and October. The kidnap victims were only freed after their families reportedly paid huge amounts of ransom money. Yu Beng Chua, president of the the Chinese traders’ group, said a Marine battalion dedicated to the security of city residents, would restore confidence in the government’s capability to contain kidnap gangs and other terrorist groups that have on wealthy traders and innocent civilians. – VVP, GMANews.TV

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