Philippine Army creating division for territorial defense

From Update.Ph (Mar 23): Philippine Army creating division for territorial defense

The Philippine Army will be transforming one of its Divisions for territorial defense. This was disclosed by Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Eduardo Año to ANC’s Talkback with Tina Monson Palma.

The transformation of an Army division into a territorial defense-ready force is in line with the Army’s vision of transforming its troops into a world-class army.

The Army General said Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) location, is being developed as a combat training area. “Fort Magsaysay is home to many army units, and most of our training exercises are done in Fort Magsaysay,” he said.

“Dahil EDCA site ito, mas mapapaganda ang ating facilities dito, in time for our strategy direction of designating a territorial defense division. We are now planning to start developing one division into a territorial defense division,” General Año said.

On Tuesday, March 22 the Philippine Army celebrated its 119th founding anniversary.

The Army announced that it has conducted 300,000 “focused military operations” which has resulted in the neutralization of 743 rebels, terrrorists and lawless elements.

General Año said these figures can be broken down into 595 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels; 82 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists; 10 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and 56 Jemaah Islamiyah facilitators of the Maute Group.

http://www.update.ph/2016/03/philippine-army-creating-division-for-territorial-defense/3533