TROOPS of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu and the 906th Community Defense Center Sulu Ready Reserve Battalion hosted a Valentine's Day bloodletting in the province of Sulu.
Second Lieutenant Jerrica Angela Manongdo, JTF-Sulu information officer, said the activity, dubbed as "Alay Naming Dugo Galing Sa Puso," is also part of the Lupahsug Joint Training Exercise and was held Sunday, February 14, in Taglibi village, Patikul town.
Manongdo said the bloodletting activity was made possible through the help of the Philippine Red Cross, Sulu Provincial Government, and Patikul Municipal Government.
Brigadier General Manuel Sequitin, 11th Infantry Division assistant commander, assured that JTF-Sulu will always support the local government.
"In this day of love and affection, the task force vows that we are ready not just to fight to resolve security threats -- but that we are always here (the regular forces, Cafgu, and reservists) prepared to offer humanitarian aid and facilitate development in Sulu," Sequitin said.
Aside from bloodletting, the troops also provided free circumcision, haircut and meals to the residents of Taglibi, Patikul.
Manongdo said the residents were amazed and proud of their townsmen who have joined the reserve force.
She said the activity was the first project of Army Reservist in Sulu in partnership with the 15th Civil Military Operations Battalion. (SunStar Zamboanga)