Armed forces of the Philippines rotates, reassigns troops

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Oct 15): Armed forces of the Philippines rotates, reassigns troops

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has initiated rotation of troops here in the area of responsibility of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

The rotation of troops came after the AFP reassigned two Army battalions as well as an infantry brigade from Luzon to the Westmincom area and placed them under the Army's First Infantry Division.

Among the troops that were rotated and reassigned were the Army's 21st, 41st, 32nd, and 35th Infantry Battalion, and the 501st Infantry Brigade.

The Army's 21st, and 41st Infantry Battalions came from Luzon and have replaced the 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions in Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte, respectively.

Army's 1st Infantry Division Information Officer Captain Franco Suelto disclosed Wednesday the 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions arrived last October 2 and October 9, respectively.

The soldiers of 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions underwent series of orientation to familiarize them their new area of operation to include cultural sensitivity seminars "to inform our soldiers of the custom and traditions of the different tribes in Western Mindanao."

The Army's 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions were deployed to Sulu as they have replaced the Marine Battalions that were reassigned to Palawan.

Suelto said the 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions were sent to Sulu last October 4 and October 11, respectively.

The Army's 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions were placed under the command of the 501st Infantry Brigade that was reassigned from Luzon to Sulu.

"As soldiers, we must be used to move from one assignment to the other. I also experienced what you are experiencing right now. It is part and parcel of the military profession," Army's 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr. said as he assured the troops that they will be surprised to know that Mindanao is beautiful, peaceful and hospitable.

"The Luzon-based units are most welcome to the home of the premier Division (First Infantry Division) of the AFP. The soldiers of 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions will not have hard a time adjusting to their new area because there are several Ilocanos who opted to settle here in Mindanao," Barrientos added.

Barrientos said their expertise on peace and development activities in Luzon will also be applicable and "I know your skills are at par with 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions that will certainly sustain the gains of the Division in terms of peace and security."

"I know that Army units in the country are equally capable in addressing various threats whether man-made or natural such as terrorism, disaster, environmental, and support to law enforcement and many others," he said.

He said he is confident that the 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions can continue the thrust in "Winning the Peace" in the province of Sulu.
He said the two battalions can sustain the gains that the Marine units established during their stint in Sulu.

He said the Army contingent will work side by side with the remaining Marine units and most importantly with the stakeholders led by the Local Chief Executives and traditional leaders "so that peace and development will reign in every community in the island."

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/10/15/armed-forces-philippines-rotates-reassigns-troops-371170