The Joint Task Force (JTF) Poseidon, a combined military force designated to address the changing operational environment and ensure the stability in the Western Mindanao’s Joint Area of Operations (JAO), officiated the activation of three Joint Task Groups (JTGs), held at the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Gymnasium, Camp Navarro, Calarian, in Zamboanga City
Aimed at handling distinct domains in the execution of JTF Poseidon’s mission, the three JTGs namely JTG Atlas, JTF Triton, and JTF Pegasus are under the respective supervisions of Brig. Gen. Nestor Narag Jr, the Commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade (2MBde), Captain Hilarion D. Cesista, the Commander of the Naval Task Force 61 (NTF61), and Col. Edward Cervantes, the Commander of the Naval Installation Facility-Western Mindanao (CNIF-WM) and the Tactical Operations Group Sulu – Tawi-Tawi (TOG SulTaw) who was represented by Col. Byron de Ocampo during the ceremony.
The official activation was presided over by Rear Admiral Francisco Tagamolila Jr., the Commander of the JTF Poseidon with Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the guest of honor and speaker.
During his speech, Lt. Gen. Gaerlan commended JTF Poseidon for its noteworthy developments and spirited endeavors under the sterling leadership of Rear Admiral Tagamolila Jr., since its activation on July 09. He also confided his full trust and confidence in the commanders of the three JTGs, highlighting their exceptional capabilities and prowess in leading their respective groups.
The momentous event was graced also by the presence of Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, the WestMinCom Deputy Commander for External Defense Operations (EDOs); Col. Montano Almodovar, the WestMinCom Acting Chief of the Unified Command Staff (ACUCS); and other key officers and invited guests.
The activation of the JTGs was conducted in three phases which include the Preparation Phase, Execution Phase, and Termination Phase. The Preparation phase, involved a series of coordinating conferences regarding the planning and coordination between and among concerned units and offices which was held prior the official activation ceremony. Meanwhile, the Execution phase marked the official activation ceremony of the JTGs which was attended by military units that constitute the JTGs. Lastly, the Termination Phase involved the return of all involved key personalities and participants of the activity to their respective stations.
