THE Philippines is sending a battle-tested special forces troopers to serve as component of the peace keeping contingent of the United Nations.
Selected to become part of the Philippine Army United National Infantry Battalion (PA-UNLIB) (+) in the United Nations Peace Support Operations is the 4th Special Forces Company (4SFC) of the Army’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion.
Prior to the selection as part of PA-UNLIB, the company have been instrumental in battling the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and spearheaded developmental efforts in six island towns in Sulu, namely, Parang, Siasi, Pandami, Tapul, Lugus, and Pata.
The 4SFC is currently headed by Captain Joemar Bongcac, who effectively led the company in maintaining the peace and order and capacitating the Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed conflict (MTF ELAC) of the five island municipalities under its operational area.
The MTF-ELAC is Sulu’s version of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Brigadier General Eugenio Boquio, 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, emphasized the needed character and discipline that they must develop and maintain for them to accomplish their future missions as part of the PA UNLIB (+).
“Always look after your health. Specially that you will be deployed to an environment completely different from ours,” Boquio told the troops during the send-off ceremony on Monday, May 8, 2023.
“It will be your foundation moving forward,” he added.
The send-off ceremony was held at the headquarters of the 1101st Infantry Brigade at Bud Bayug in Samak village, Talipao, Sulu.
The 4SFC troops will go through various trainings, seminars and workshops to increase their readiness prior to being deployed as part of the PA-UNLIB (+). (SunStar Zamboanga)