District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian has started making strong representation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding the City government’s request for the deployment of a an army riverine battalion here Zamboanga City.

Fabian said that early last week he had already sent an official communication to AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo David Jr., endorsing the letter of Mayor Celso L. Lobregat and a corresponding City Council Resolution earnestly requesting the hierarchy of the Department of National Defense and the AFP to immediately deploy an army riverine battalion in the city.

Fabian said the assignment of a full riverine battalion in the city is vital and necessary in the city’s effort to enhance security measures in the coastal areas of the city to deter the entry of bandit groups particularly kidnap-for-ransom groups from the nearby island provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

“We the city officials are optimistic that our request for the deployment of an army battalion here will be approved by the DND and the AFP,” Fabian said.

Earlier, the mayor and the congressman have sought the help of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during the latter’s visit to Zamboanga City last month to eventually deploy an army riverine battalion in the city.

This riverine battalion will be under the operation control of the military’s Task Force Zamboanga.

The congressman disclosed that majority of the troops will be deployed in the coastal areas of Mampang, Arena Blanco, Talon-Talon and Sacol Island.

Few years back, the city has a riverine battalion which has its official headquarters in Recodo.