“My unit has experienced bloody encounters in the past and this helped us connect with our comrades from the PNP [Philippine National Police]. They were able to unload most of the pain and this is important for people who are grieving,” Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) commander Lt. Col. Ronald Juan said.
Forty-two from the Police Regional Office-9, all comrades of the 44 commandos wiped out in the Mamasapano clash, talked about their experiences to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder.
Zamboanga City Mayor Bheng Climaco-Salazar, a qualified counselor, and Dr. Lolina Bajin also joined the stress debriefing.
Juan said “we could already feel the sadness” when the commandos entered the discussion groups.
“Based on the feedback of their battalion commander, the SAF troopers felt a sense of relief after the activity. We are very fortunate that our team was prepared and are capable to conduct the stress debriefing,” Juan said.
MBLT-1 is equipped with skills to facilitate stress debriefing after undergoing trainings and workshops under the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Capacities in Combat Operations.
MBLT-1 is also planning to facilitate psychosocial support for the families of the fallen commandos.
“We are just waiting for orders and also for a mutually applicable time to conduct the debriefing,” Jian said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
