SULU: Some 2,000 civilian volunteers took their oath as members of a new police unit, which will help Philippine authorities protect villages from rebel attacks.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro led the oath-taking Thursday in Sulu province where security forces are battling Moro rebels and Abu Sayyaf militants whose group is tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah terror networks.

“We will not allow these groups from terrorizing innocent people and taking hostage this beautiful province of Sulu,” Teodoro said.

Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu welcomed Teodoro who arrived by plane from Zamboanga City on Thursday afternoon together with senior military and police officials.

Tan said the volunteers would be placed under the supervision of the Philippine National Police and the mayors of the town where they would be deployed as peacekeeping force.

He said the volunteers are now part of the Police Auxiliary Unit.  “Civilians are fed with the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf. Our people are suffering from their atrocities. These volunteers are now partners of the Philippine National Police in maintaining peace and order in Sulu. They will be under the supervision of the Philippine National Police,” Tan said.

Tan also praised the Defense secretary, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, for helping civilians displaced by the fighting in Sulu.

Clashes between security forces and rebels began in September and the military said dozens had been killed and wounded, including two US Special Forces members, in the fighting, which displaced thousands of civilians.

Al Jacinto