P63 M ok for transfer of Maritme Headquarters to Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16 (ZNS) – The Philippine Maritime Police (PMP) has set aside the amount of P63 million for the transfer of is main headquarters at Camp Crame to Zamboanga.

PMP Regional Director PSupt. Rollen Ariño said he is only waiting for the go signal for the transfer of the headquarters to the city as the matter has already been discussed and approved among PMP officials in Manila.

The PMP has targeted a coastal  area at Bolong barangay some 39 kilomters east of the city proper for the transfer. Bolong has a good cove that could protect seacraft from strong waves and provide a good harbor for the PMP.

The barangay is also easily accessible to the Sacol Island Group and the 11 Island Group, all known to be safe halfway points for sea pirates and rebels traveling from the Sulu Archipelago towards Central Mindanao shorelines.

These island barangays are always under threats of pirates and rebels from which they could launch attacks on the city’s mainland.

PSupt  Ariño said that  as an initial step to improve the PMP availability to combat seaborne lawless elements, its regional office has transferred last month from its office at the Baliwasan shorelines west of the city proper to Rio Hondo.

The PMP used to maintain a station at Rio Hondo, in the vicinity where  where

armed Moro rebels landed dawn of Sept 9 to attack this city. That attack lasted for some 23 days before they were repulsed, driven away, killed or captured by government soldiers. (Felino M Santos)