28IB trains in Luzon for UN peace ops mission

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2023): 28IB trains in Luzon for UN peace ops mission (By Che Palicte)

UN DEPLOYMENT. The 10th Infantry Division conducts a send-off ceremony on June 13, 2023 for the 28th Infantry Battalion (28IB) as they prepare for United Nations (UN) Peace Support Operations (PSO) Mission in 2024. The 28IB will comprise the core unit of the Philippine Army United Nations Light Infantry Battalion (Team) for the UN PSO Mission. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

DAVAO CITY – The Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion (28IB) is currently Luzon-bound for its training for the United Nations (UN) Peace Support Operations (PSO) Mission next year.

In an interview Thursday, Maj. Mark Anthony Tito, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) spokesperson, said a send-off ceremony was conducted on June 13 at the 10ID headquarters in Mawab town, Davao de Oro province.

The 28IB comprises the core unit of the Philippine Army United Nations Light Infantry Battalion (Team) for the UN PSO Mission.

“Out of the many battalions of the Philippine Army, they were chosen. They will undergo training in Luzon for almost a year before their deployment in 2024,” Tito said, adding that there will be additional personnel to join the team in the coming days.

During the send-off ceremony, Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, advised the troopers to embrace the mission "with utmost dedication and professionalism."

"Remember, you are not only representing the 10ID but also the Philippine Army and the Philippines as a whole. Your conduct will shape the perception of future Filipino peacekeepers, and you have the power to inspire generations to come," he said.

In the same ceremony, the 28IB received commendations from the 1001st Infantry Brigade and the 10ID for dismantling the communist New People’s Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 2 and Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of Sub-Regional Committee 2, both of the rebels’ Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The dismantling of the two NPA guerilla units led to the declaration of Davao de Oro as an insurgency-free province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203594