ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) got a boost in terms of maritime interdiction after receiving a speedboat funded by the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
This after Mujiv Hataman, Basilan congressman and former ARMM top executive, turned over Sunday a twin-engine speedboat for Westmincom’s seaborne patrols.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, received the speedboat including its keys and manuals in a ceremony held at the grandstand of Camp Basilio Navarro that houses the Westmincom headquarters here.
Sobejana said Westmincom is set to receive four more speedboats for the additional naval capability of the Joint Task Forces Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Central.
Hataman said the speedboats are part of the PHP30 million allotted to procure five speedboats for the Joint Task Forces of the Westmincom by the then ARMM.
“It’s a small deed to repay the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) for all its hard work and perseverance to secure Mindanao,” he said.
Aside from maritime interdiction, Sobejana said the speedboats will be utilized by the Joint Task Forces in border patrol, and transport and strategic insertion of troops in their operational environment. -Bong Garcia Jr/PNA
