ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/05 July)-– The Sulu provincial government has donated a 600-horse power speedboat to the Second Marines Brigade to boost its maritime capability against lawless elements operating in the area.
Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II and his father Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan turned over last Wednesday the speedboat to military officials in a simple ceremony held at the port of Jolo.
Brig. General Orlando De Leon, Western Mindanao Command deputy commander and Joint Task Force BASULTA (Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) chief, and Brig. General Martin Pinto, Second Marine Brigade commander, received the speedboat.
The officials did not disclose the cost of the 32-footer Malaysian-made watercraft powered by three outboard motor engines.
In a statement, Pinto said the donation of the speedboat is a welcome move and a manifestation of the strong partnership and collaboration between the provincial government and the military in the province.
Pinto said the speedboat will be a big help in intercepting or apprehending elements engaged in illegal activities, including kidnapping, in the high seas.
It will particularly enhance our capability in maritime law enforcement within the waters of Sulu, he noted.
The Second Marine Brigade, in coordination with the police, for the past several weeks has been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Group responsible for the series of atrocities and kidnapping activities in Sulu. (MindaNews)
