Marines chief is new military commander for Western Mindanao

Major General Benjamin Dolorfino. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 16, 2009) – Philippine Marines chief Major General Benjamin Dolorfino has formally assumed Thursday as new commander of military forces in Western Mindanao.

Dolorfino replaced Lieutenant Nelson Allaga. He vowed to intensify the campaign against Moro and communist rebels and defeat terrorism in the southern Philippines.

It was also the same statement by previous commanders who served and go, but the problems on insurgency and terrorism were still unchanged.

Dolorfino, his aide and 21 other soldiers, including a defense undersecretary, were previously held hostage by Moro rebels in Sulu province after a failed meeting in February 2007.

Moro National Liberation Front rebels under Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun held Dolorfino’s group for three days and freed them after a series of government negotiations.

The rebels demanded Manila to free detained MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges in Manila in exchange for the release of the hostages so he can lead the MNLF to the tripartite conference in Saudi Arabia. (Mindanao Examiner)