Military activates naval station in Zamboanga City

The military has activated a new naval base in Barangay Rio Hondo in Zamboanga, five years after the infamous siege that brought turmoil to the city.

The activation ceremony of Naval Station Rio Hondo on Tuesday was led by Philippine Navy Vice Commander to Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong.

The Navy said the establishment of the base aims to warrant the safety of the city and preserve peace.

“Aligned with the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction, the Naval Station Rio Hondo shall play a very important and critical role in restoring and preserving the peace in the barangays and our beloved city," Ong said.

In September 2013, hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members attempted to take over Zamboanga City--which led to a three-week clash with the government forces.

The Zamboanga siege ended with over 200 MNLF members killed; around 300 captured. Casualties from the line of state forces and civilians were also recorded.

Hundreds of Zamboanga residents heavily suffered from internal displacement.

"This Naval Station shall bring light to our people that they could redeem the lives that they lost during the siege and the livelihood that they had built before," Ong said.

The new station will be manned by various fleet-marine units including the Naval Special Operations Unit 1, Combat Service Support Brigade, Inshore Boat Battalion, Naval Air Unit and Marine Battalion Landing Team 1. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News