SFRA, 101ST BDE, 1st ID, AFP-PA, Condor project launch, Is Zamboanga Peninsula really Safe?

Condor 3 Speed Boats with a maximum speed of 40 knots being launch by the PA-SF Riverine Units to thwart Illegal activities in Zamboanga Peninsula. LTGEN Arturo Ortiz, CGPA personally came to Dapitan City and CG 1ID Noel Coballes to indorse to the local government unit of Zamboanga del Norte. Governor Rolando Yebes thanks the Philippine Army on its peace and order campaign.

by PJTremedal, BNDMisOcc-CIB/OCMPunta de Disembarco de Rizal, Dapitan City – With the launching of the 3^rd batch of the SFR-Army Watercrafts initiated by the Philippine Army of the Armed Forces of the country to fight CT’s, the Abu Sayaff, Extortionists and other Criminal Threats Groups in the Zamboanga Peninsula and other islands in Mindanao questions flourish again not only with the Media but to all constituents of the island who in way or another suffered for years, experienced fear and anger, homeless and hungry because of this threat groups.

With this new fighting machines, the question is, Is it the end of this miseries, does Mindanaoan’s can be assured that with this new equipments, Threat Groups and other Criminal Groups can now be controlled and put to justice? Is Zamboanga Peninsula really safe from this criminals?

This week, with the presence and attendance of the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. General Arturo B Ortiz, AFP who initiated and named after his codename in his military career “CONDOR” the Army’s Watercraft Project is launched to thwart any attempt of the longtime Mindanao’s enemy number one, Criminal and Terrorist elements who uses the water in escaping and using as means of entrance to any point of the island to make havoc and fear to each and every community.

“With a less expensive equipments made from our own indigenous materials but effective and fully armed sea crafts with experience Riverine Unit of the AFP Special Forces, this will keep our campaign against these lawless elements more strong than ever.” Lt Gen Ortiz said.

Meanwhile, 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Commander, BGen Noel Coballes in an interview with this online news expresses his support to the Army’s Development Plan Codename: “CONDOR”. As the support to all his ground units in his AOR

“This will surely help our efforts especially peace and order of the entire Peninsula to include Basilan Islands of which is our concern also, and the 1^st INF DIV operating in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Norte, Zamboanga de Sur and nearby coastal provinces and towns of the island of Mindanao,” CG,1ID,PA Noel Coballes said.

CONDOR 3 Project composes three (3) mother boats and ten (10) scout boats with a speed of more or less 42 knots to be manned by Special Forces Teams armed with modern and crossive weapons to counter any attacks and can maneuver to any point of destination along all coastlies and seas of the peninsula.

The Special Forces Riverine Units has the capability to employ watercrafts with limited waterborne operations such as sea blocked, sea interdiction, and other operations specific to Special Forces operations, this started in 1970’s when secessionist movement has blown up.

“Dahil sa paniniwala na ang Riverine Unit ay mahalaga sa mga operasyon nang Philippine Arymy, ang dating Seaborne ay pinalakas at ito sa pamagitan din nang bagongArmy Commander na si General Ortiz, Ang CONDOR Project ay binuo upang palakasin pa ang mga kagamitan at kapabilidad nito” (in vernacular-tagalog) “ Said Col. Aminkadra Undug (GSC) PA Regional Commander SFRA, SOCOM,PA.

CONDOR Project started this September 2010, and the first (CONDOR 1)was operated on November 10 and establish in Basilan, the second (CONDOR 2) was in March 13,2011 to operate in Zamboanga Sibugay which ultimately successful against a certain Commander Kamsa and his group and this week, May 19 ,2011 CONDOR 3 was launch in Dapitan City to be responsible in the Zamboanga del Norte Area. Col Undug added.

Meanwhile, Governor Rolando Yebes of Zamboanga del Norte who witness the launching together with other officials of Dipolog and Dapitan Cities welcome the development and heart fully thanks the Armed Forces for a well planned action with equipments and commitment to campaign against all lawless elements that uses the water and the seas to make their moves.

Former Congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos and Dapitan’s Tourism Development Magnate and owner of the famous Dakak Resort who witness the blessing and launching expresses support to CONDOR 3 Project that will ultimately handled by the 101^st Army Brigade under Col Jet Velarmino of the Army’s 1^st Division as an OPCON Unit.

“Gikan sa Sibutad paingon sa Siraway guarded na ang atong coastline, gikan sa mga illegal fisher, mga pirata ug uban pa busa dako gyud ang akong pasalamat, ilabi na sa Dakak Resort malipayon gayud kami nga ania na kining atong CONDOR 3 Project sa kasundaluhan, ug mosoporta gayud ako sa maong proywekto, kay makatulog na kami ug malinawon ug walay kakuyaw nga mahitabo unya, nahibalo man mo nga aduna kitay gideveop nga duha ka isla, basig masudlan with the presence of this SFRA and its equipments, sigurado nga magmalinawon ang Dapitan ug tibook Zamboanga del Norte gikan sa maong mga dautang element nga mogamit sa kadagatan sa Zamboanga del Norte,”(in vernacular)” Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos said.

In the blessing and launching, MSGR Gonzalo Villamil Jr. V.F. Parish Priest of Dapitan officiated the event.

With his message, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt Gen Arturo B. Ortiz ended with hope and ask the support of all “Ako ay lubos na umaasa sa mga mamamayan at provincial government ng Zamboanga del Norte sa pagpapamuno ni Gobernador Rolando Yebes ay kaisa sa layunin na wakasan na ang mga masasamang element at kriminalidad na nagbibigay gulo sa lugar na ito” Lt. Gen ended his message.”