9 Army battalions activated in campaign vs terrorists

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 21): 9 Army battalions activated in campaign vs terrorists

ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista yesterday said nine Army battalions have been activated this year amid the intensified military campaign against terrorist and communist forces.

During the celebration of the Army’s 121st foundation anniversary at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Bautista said the newly-activated units include seven infantry battalions which are part of the 10 infantry battalions the Army is forming this year.

A battalion is composed of around 500 officers and men.

“To beef up our ground operations, seven out of the additional 10 infantry battalions have been activated. The remaining three shall be activated in the second quarter of this year,” said Bautista.

Bautista said the two other battalions have been activated -- 5th Scout Ranger Battalion and the 500th Engineer Combat Battalion.

Government forces have stepped up operations against the terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the aftermath of the bloody Marawi City siege waged by the ISI-inspired Maute Group last year.

Military operations have been also intensified against the New People’s Army after President Duterte issued a proclamation terminating the peace talks with the communists in November last year. A month later, he issued another proclamation, declaring the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines as terrorist organizations.

“The threat of terrorism is omnipresent and unavoidable in this day and age. It is a reality that the free world must now confront,” said Bautista, who commanded the Joint Task Force Marawi that led the operations in Marawi.

“The siege of the city of Marawi opened the eyes of countries in our part of the world to the realities of terrorism and subsequently resulted in the second declaration of martial law in the Philippines,” added Bautista.

On the NPA, Bautista said the Army has been successful so far in the campaign against the group.

“When the President declared the CPP-NPA as terrorists in December 2017, we intensified our campaign against them. This resulted in the significant decline in their manpower and firearms,” said Bautista adding some 4,000 NPA members and supporters have surrendered to government.

During the anniversary celebration, President Duterte conferred medals and awards on 41 Army personnel, including AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez who received the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Kamagi medal).

Galvez supervised the operations in Marawi City.

Maj. Gen. Joselito Reyes, commander of the Army Support Command, received the Distinguished Service Medal, a non-combat medal

Duterte thanked the soldiers for their  “selflessness, heroism and faithful service to the Republic.”

“There are no shortcuts to success. We will continue to face challenges as we trudge the noble path of building a stronger and safer nation. However, because of your contributions, these goals are now within reach,” he said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/9-army-battalions-activated-campaign-vs-terrorists