New Army artillery unit to boost security ops in Western Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 13, 2023): New Army artillery unit to boost security ops in Western Mindanao (By Priam Nepomuceno)

NEW ARTILLERY UNIT. Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido leads the activation ceremonies for the 11th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2023). The Philippine Army on Wednesday (Sept. 13) said the deployment of the 11FAB in the provinces within Western Mindanao would address the overstretched and oversized field artillery units in the area. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) has activated another artillery unit, the 11th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB), as part of its efforts to enhance its available firepower in Western Mindanao.

In a statement Wednesday, PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said activation ceremonies of the 11FAB took place at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday.

The 11FAB is part of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR).

"The deployment of the 11FAB will be in the provinces within Western Mindanao to address the overstretched and oversized field artillery units in the said area," he added.

Overstretched units are those handling too much responsibilities while oversized units are those that have a number of personnel that is higher than their authorized strength.

Trinidad also said PA chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, who was present during the activation ceremonies, lauded the unit "for its remarkable initiatives in making the AAR a reliable, responsive, relevant, and mission-oriented unit of the PA."

As this developed, the AAR also inaugurated the new administration building of the Artillery Training School and mess hall of its maintenance and service battalion.

"The newly inaugurated facilities aim to provide a conducive learning environment to AAR personnel, which will help boost their morale and welfare, enabling them to accomplish their duties more effectively," Trinidad said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209758