Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom reorganizes forces to focus on emerging challenges

Monday, October 2, 2023

WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom reorganizes forces to focus on emerging challenges

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Sep 28, 2023): WestMinCom reorganizes forces to focus on emerging challenges

WestMinCom reorganizes forces to focus on emerging challenges

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – September 28, 2023

The Western Mindanao Command deactivated two of its joint task forces to capacitate its forces to sustain the campaign set by Higher Headquarters and focus on the emerging challenges in internal security and territorial defense in its area of operation.

WestMinCom Commander, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo spearheaded the deactivation of Joint Task Forces Basilan and Sulu at Camp Teodulfo Bautista, Busbus, Jolo, Sulu, on Monday, September 25, 2023.

“The Higher Headquarters provided us an opportunity to reconfigure and reorganize our forces in Sulu and Basilan as the need for specialized, highly coordinated, and adaptive military units has become paramount,” Maj. Gen. Crespillo said.

With the deactivation of JTFs Sulu and Basilan, a new milestone in WestMinCom history unfolds as it activates Joint Task Force Orion, a multi-service, multi-domain task force organized to address and provide unity of command in confronting the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group and in compelling the peace-inclined armed groups (PIAGs) to support and participate in the implementation of various government peace programs through peace process mechanisms.

JTF Orion has operational jurisdiction over the provinces of Basilan and Sulu. Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, the commander of the 11th Infantry Division, was designated as the concurrent commander of the newly activated task force.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Joint Task Force Basilan Commander, Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon and other military officers and personnel.

During his visit to Sulu, Maj. Gen. Crespillo also paid a courtesy call to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan at the Provincial Capitol. Maj. Gen. Crespillo expressed his gratitude to Governor Tan and the provincial government of Sulu for their unfailing trust and support to the armed forces, then and now.
“Good governance and strengthened collaboration bore positive results in our campaign against terrorism in Sulu. Our efforts led to the decline of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the promise of socio-economic development in the province,” Maj. Gen. Crespillo said.

Gov. Tan pledged continued support to WestMinCom as it endeavors to address the remaining threats in Sulu.

The WestMinCom Commander also boosted the morale of troops during his visit to the headquarters of the 1101st, 1102nd, and 1103rd Infantry Brigades from September 25 to 26. The commanders of the three brigades presented their unit briefings to Maj. Gen. Crespillo during his visit to their respective unit. The WestMinCom Commander also gave his guidance to the troops.

In his visit to Sulu Maj. Gen. Crespillo was accompanied by Col. Franklin Fabic, the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Intelligence; Col. Rogelio Gabi, the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations; and Col. Wendell Basat, the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations.