REMAI ALEJADO
Zambosur PPB
THE Naval Task Group (NTG) 6141 is permanently assigned in Pagadian for good after Gov. Aurora Cerilles requested for its retention because of its good impression.
NTG 6141 Commander, Lieutenant Albert Mogol relayed the information during the CRM Post summit assessment meeting at the Provincial Capitol over a week ago.
Mogol said his group will be assigned here while their counterparts are deployed in Margosatubig and in Dipolog City.
NTG 6141’s mission is to secure and protect the economic interest of the people in Zamboanga Peninsula unhampered by the lawless elements.
“The role of the armed forces is to secure the people and with our meager assets we will join forces with the PNP and military to safeguard its people and their interest for progress and development in the province,” Mogol said.
Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo, who also heads the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), recognized NTG 6141’s role, saying without them, it would be difficult for the provincial government to control sea piracy and illegal fishing activities in the province.
With NTG 6141’s presence, enforcing fishery laws and the quick moves of the Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) of the Illana Bay Regional Alliance (IBRA-9) will deter lawless elements from pestering the fishery sector.
To recall, the Naval Striking Force under Lt. Noel Felecia of BRP Pangasinan said that curbing piracy in the area is very easy considering the force of the lawless elements is too small as compared to the AFP.
Last May 20, Felecia and PNP Provincial Director P/SSUPt. Ramon Ochotorena and 53rd IB’s Major Samuel Gayongorsa rounded up Ticala Island in search for sea pirates but found none.
Ticala Island was known as the haven of sea pirates and extortionists victimizing fishermen in the high seas of Illana Bay.
This problem has been bothering Cerilles, which prompted her to call on NTG 6141 to stay here and help reinforce the efforts versus sea piracy.