JSOTFP service members visit local orphanage

Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs Office

ZAMOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – On April 5, eleven service members from Joint Special Operations Task Force- Philippines, visited the “Reception and Study Center for Children,” a center for displaced children in Zamboanga City.  They brought with them boxes of donated clothes, toiletries, and candy.

The Reception and Study Center for Children is home to 45 children ranging from infants to young teenagers.  The center is part of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Everyone around camp is always asking me when our next trip to the orphanage is, so I try to plan as many as I can,” explained Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Price, the command chaplain assistant who helped coordinate the event.

In addition to the donations, members from JSOTF-P gave approximately P13,000 to the center.

“It’s good to see the kids,” said Master-at-Arms 3^rd Class Brendan Washock, who donated the money on behalf of the service members. “It puts a face to the mission we are doing down here” he added.

 “(JSOTF-P’s) visit here makes the children happy,” said Josefina Reyes, the head of the center. “They are delighted when people come and play with them.”

U.S. forces are temporarily deployed to the Philippines in a strictly non-combat role at the invitation of the Philippine government to advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fight terrorism and deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines.

"We are improving the local community by helping the less fortunate. It also presents a good image of American service members,” Price added.