AFP: Visayas getting another battalion soon

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 30): AFP: Visayas getting another battalion soon

CAMP MACARIO PERALTA, Capiz – The Armed Forces of the Philippines is creating another Army battalion in the Visayas.

Brig. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, newly-designated commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, confirmed yesterday that the new battalion to be created will be under the supervision of the 3ID.

One Army battalion is composed of 500 soldiers, including officers.

Dolina also said that he is hopeful that one of the three Army battalions of 3ID presently assigned in Mindanao, will be returned to them next year.

The 15th Infantry Battalion was expected to return to Negros, after almost 10 years of assignment in Mindanao. But it was again re-assigned from Lanao del Norte to North Cotabato, and placed under the supervision of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, headed by Negrense Col. Roberto Ancan.

Dolina said Mindanao has been prioritized in the deployment of government security forces.

Three years ago, the 82nd Infantry Battalion was organized in Panay. But it was later moved to Marawi City. Meanwhile, the 11th Infantry Battalion from Negros Oriental is presently deployed in Zamboanga.

Despite the pull-out of 3ID troops from Negros and Panay, Dolina said the remaining forces in Western and Central Visayas still managed to contain the threats of lawless groups in the two regions.

But he said the creation of another infantry battalion, as well as the return of another Army battalion from Mindanao, that he expects next year, will “for sure a force multiplier in the peace and development efforts here”.

There are now two infantry battalions deployed in Negros, and one each in Panay and Bohol. In the case of Negros, it is the 3ID organized 1st and 2nd Negros Island Geographical Battalions, which are composed of Army reservists and Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit members.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/December/30/topstory6.htm