Army division sends troops to Sulu

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 24): Army division sends troops to Sulu

The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division is sending two of its battle-hardened units to fight against the Abu Sayaff in Sulu.

The Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Scout Ranger Regiment will be deployed to Jolo, Sulu.

The 69th Infantry Battalion has been airlifted this morning via Philippine Air Force C130. The scout rangers will have their send-off tomorrow (Aug. 25).

The 69th Infantry Battalion is considered as one of the division’s best performing battalion whose noted accomplishment is the neutralization of New People’s Army commander Leoncio Pitao alyas Ka Parago last year.

Captain Ryan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the 71st Infantry Battalion will take over the 69th’s erstwhile area of responsibility in Maragusan, Compostela valley Province.

The deployment of additional troops to fight the abu sayaff is within the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to finish off the terrorist group.

While hostilities versus the New People’s Army in the region has been on the lull with a seven day ceasefire implemented by both sides since August 22 in line with the commencement of the peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines- National Democratic Front in Oslo, Norway. .

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1541472027218/army-division-sends-troops-to-sulu