THE Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has deactivated two of its joint task forces to capacitate its forces to sustain the campaign set by higher headquarters and focus on the emerging challenges in internal security and territorial defense in its area of operation.

Major General Steve Crespillo, commander of Westmincom, spearheaded the deactivation of Joint Task Forces Basilan and Sulu at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Busbus village, Jolo, Sulu, on Monday, September 25.

“The Higher Headquarters provided us an opportunity to reconfigure and reorganize our forces in Sulu and Basilan as the need for specialized, highly coordinated, and adaptive military units has become paramount,” Crespillo said in a statement.

With the deactivation of JTFs Sulu and Basilan, a new milestone in Westmincom history unfolds as it activates Joint Task Force (JTF)-Orion, a multi-service, multi-domain task force organized to address and provide unity of command in confronting the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group and in compelling the peace-inclined armed groups (PIAGs) to support and participate in the implementation of various government peace programs through peace process mechanisms.

The JTF Orion has operational jurisdiction over the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, the commander of the 11th Infantry Division and JTF-Sulu, was designated as the concurrent commander of the newly activated JTF Orion.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Brigadier Alvin Luzon, JTF-Basilan commander, and other military officers and personnel.

During his visit to Sulu, Crespillo also paid a courtesy call to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan at the Provincial Capitol.

Crespillo expressed his gratitude to Tan and the provincial government of Sulu for their unfailing trust and support to the armed forces, then and now.

“Good governance and strengthened collaboration bore positive results in our campaign against terrorism in Sulu. Our efforts led to the decline of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the promise of socio-economic development in the province,” Crespillo said. (SunStar Zamboanga)