Visual and musical expression

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (May 6, 2010) – Attendees of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s  Art for Peace show listen to music by local Tausug musicians.  Art work from local artists including the internationally acclaimed Rameer Tawasil and Philippine National Artist Abdulmari Imao was on display.  Pieces by local City Councilor Gerky Velasco Jr. and on the left by Capt. Robert Gusentine, commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines are backdrop for the musicians. Mindanao’s cultural appreciation for art and expression has become a venue for advancing a sense of peace and community.   (Photo by Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs)

The spirit of the carabao

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (May 6, 2010) – Zamboanga City Mayor, Celso L. Lobregat (front) and other attendees of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s Art for Peace show discuss the significance of the carabao in Philippine culture.  Here they are looking at a work by Commander, Joint Special Operation Task Force – Philippines, Capt. Robert Gusentine.  Various local artists, to include Gusentine and the internationally acclaimed Rameer Tawasil, displayed their work for the public.  Mindanao’s cultural appreciation for art and expression has become a venue for advancing a sense of peace and community.  (Photo by Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs)

Congressional Representatives visit Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania meets with Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command.  Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1, 2011 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command discusses the importance of the strategic partnership between U.S. Special Operations Forces and Armed Forces of the Philippines to counter terrorism in the southern Philippines with U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania. Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)

BASILAN, Republic of the Philippines –A member of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) who is embedded with Philippine Armed Forces in Basilan briefs U.S. Congressional members about U.S. support and assistance to Philippine security forces in the Southern Philippines, at the request of the Government and Armed Forces of the Philippines.    U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines  – Mayor Celso L. Lobregat of Zamboanga City presents U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania and other congressional members with a token of appreciation for their visit to the area.  Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)

U.S. Provides PNP With New Equipment

By Philippine National Police Public Information Office

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – The U.S. recently provided nearly 325,000 pesos (USD 7,500)  worth of communications equipment to a local Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Battalion following its recent operations in Basilan.

The PNP’s 5th Special Action Battalion received portable radios, laptops, printers, and other communication equipment.

“This equipment will directly benefit Philippine forces on the ground combating terrorist elements in Basilan,” said a senior member of the PNP’s 5th Special Action Battalion. “This program highlights the importance of our partnership with the United States.”

The U.S. Rewards Program provides cash, goods, or services to reward individuals for information or assistance that is beneficial to military force protection or operations against international terrorism, specifically the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist groups.

The general public is also encouraged to participate in the program.  Individuals or whole communities can qualify for rewards for information or assistance they provide to aid security forces in operations.

Since January 2011, 12 individuals and communities have received rewards totaling more than 4.25 million pesos (nearly USD 100,000).

3rd Marine Division Commander visits the Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 16, 2011) – Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, center, meets with senior members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during an office call with Western Mindanao Command at Camp Navarro.  (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Demetrius Munnerlyn)

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 16, 2011) – Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, left, meets with U.S. Marines assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines while visiting Camp Navarro.  (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Demetrius Munnerlyn)

JSOTFP service members visit local orphanage

Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs Office

ZAMOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – On April 5, eleven service members from Joint Special Operations Task Force- Philippines, visited the “Reception and Study Center for Children,” a center for displaced children in Zamboanga City.  They brought with them boxes of donated clothes, toiletries, and candy.

The Reception and Study Center for Children is home to 45 children ranging from infants to young teenagers.  The center is part of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Everyone around camp is always asking me when our next trip to the orphanage is, so I try to plan as many as I can,” explained Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Price, the command chaplain assistant who helped coordinate the event.

In addition to the donations, members from JSOTF-P gave approximately P13,000 to the center.

“It’s good to see the kids,” said Master-at-Arms 3^rd Class Brendan Washock, who donated the money on behalf of the service members. “It puts a face to the mission we are doing down here” he added.

 “(JSOTF-P’s) visit here makes the children happy,” said Josefina Reyes, the head of the center. “They are delighted when people come and play with them.”

U.S. forces are temporarily deployed to the Philippines in a strictly non-combat role at the invitation of the Philippine government to advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fight terrorism and deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines.

"We are improving the local community by helping the less fortunate. It also presents a good image of American service members,” Price added.

COMSOCPAC Visits the Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 7, 2011) -  Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, right, meets with Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command during an office call while visiting Camp Navarro. Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 7, 2011) - Members of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines brief Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus during his visit to Camp Navarro.  Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.