Army studying Nor Cot officials' request to return 57th IB to 6th ID

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24): Army studying Nor Cot officials' request to return 57th IB to 6th ID

The military's 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division is still studying the request of North Cotabato provincial officials reverting the Army's 57th Infantry Battalion to its mother unit the 6th ID.

An official of the 6th ID privy to the request said Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, 6th ID chief, is still studying the request and had consulted higher headquarters.

Currently, the 57th IB based in Makilala, North Cotabato, is under the operation and administrative control of 1002nd Infantry Brigade based in Malungon, Saranggani province.

The 1002nd brigade is under the 10th Infantry Division which is based in Davao City and headed by Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza and the provincial board, had asked the military leadership to transfer operation and administrative supervision of the 57th IB, under Colonel Noel dela Cruz, to the Army's 602nd Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato "for easy and faster coordination in addressing security issues."

The 602nd brigade is one of the three component brigades of the 6th ID.

Known as New Peoples' Army nemesis in North Cotabato because of its aggressive tactical operations against communist guerillas mulcting multinational firms in North Cotabato, the 57th IB was placed under the jurisdiction and control of the 10th ID from the 6th ID as it forms part of the operating unit hunting down communist guerillas while units under the 6th ID will focus on peace and development initiatives.

Threats in areas of coverage of the 6th ID had been reduced due to the on gong peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

With the 57th IB moved to coverage of 10th ID, it relinquish some of its areas to the Army Special Forces Battalion now stationed in the towns of Carmen, Kabacan, Matalam, President Roxas, Arakan, Antipas, Tulunan and Mlang.

Mendoza said the letter request was also forwarded to the office of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin.

Colonel dela Cruz said his unit is ready all the time whenever and wherever it will be deployed.

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