THE Philippine Army has deployed assault boats boosting the anti-terrorism capability of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), military officials disclosed Wednesday.
Major Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom information officer, said the two assault boats from the Special Forces Regiment Airborne (SFRA) arrived Tuesday afternoon in Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Eastmincom headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.
The assault boats were formally turned over by SFRA commander Brigadier General Ramiro Manuel Rey to Eastmincom commander Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. in a military ceremony.
Madrigal recognized the assault boats as added capability in securing the municipal waters in the area of responsibility of Eastmincom, particularly Davao Gulf, to preempt terrorists, piracy and other security threats that are using the sea lanes.
The assault boats are manned by Special Forces Riverine troopers, who can also be deployed in the conduct of water search and rescue operations.
The two boats will be initially deployed with Joint Task Force Haribon, which has the jurisdiction of Mega Davao.
