WesMinCom, USMC to broaden training cooperation

THE MILITARY’S Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) is discussing with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) further means of enhancing skills-sharing to address threats, particularly local and foreign terrorist groups. USMC’s Lieutenant General David H. Berger, commander of the marine forces in the Pacific, met with Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., WesMinCom commander, over the weekend where they assessed the support extended by US troops to the WesMinCom and possible ways for broadening the technical capabilities of local forces. “It is important that we work closely with your troops and augment your capability in some aspects as we have also worked with other environments threatened by terrorism all over the world,” Mr. Berger said in a WesMinCom-released statement. WesMinCom, with headquarters in Zamboanga City, covers areas considered as strongholds of the bandit Abu Sayyaf group and local terror groups that have pledged alliance with the extremist Islamic State. — Albert F. Arcilla