THE Navy is beefing up its current stations by activating another command post in Mindanao under its ongoing capability upgrade and modernization program.
The Naval Station Rio Hondo at Barangay Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City was activated on Tuesday under the operational jurisdiction of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
Rear Adm. Rene Medina, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said Rio Hondo is manned by various Fleet-Marine operating units from the Navy.
This includes the Naval Special Operations Unit 1 (NAVSOU 1), Combat Service Support Brigade (CSSBde), Inshore Boat Battalion (IBBN), Naval Air Unit-Western Mindanao (NAU-WM) and members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1, Naval Task Force 61 and Naval Forces Western Mindanao Headquarters Support Group.
The activation of the station was graced by Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Rommel Jude Ong. Other military and civilian officials, including Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, were also present.
Medina said the naval station Rio Hondo was built to stand guard to the city following the infamous Zamboanga City siege on September 9, 2013.
“This project came as a result of the city’s efforts to maintain peace and security, following the siege where hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front rebels came into the city and infiltrated several coastal villages in the attempt to hoist their flag in the city’s seat of government, the Zamboanga City Hall,” the Naval Forces Western Mindanao said.
Medina said that Rio Hondo will make a difference in addressing the security and order of Zamboanga City for it will serve as a “Fleet-Marine force projection” on the south eastern coastline of Zamboanga City.