Army activates urban counter-terrorism unit

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Army activates urban counter-terrorism unit

The military here has activated a new Army battalion specifically trained to combat urban terrorism and prevent Marawi City-like siege in the future, an Army official said.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) civil military operations office, said the newly designated 90th Infantry Battalion will still undergo a month-long organization and refresher training at the 6ID headquarters here.

Shortly after its activation this week, the unit had been turned over to the Division Training School (DTS) for the month-long special skills and capability refresher course in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

A graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Maalab Class” of 1993, Besana was named by 6ID chief Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega to head the special Army unit.

Besana, who also earned a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines, said the core personnel of 90th IB were from selected Army units under the 6ID command.

“All personnel who composed the unit are actually battle-tested and experienced in countering violent extremists in Central Mindanao,” Besana said.

The unit is backed by new Army recruits and fresh graduates will replace veteran fighters selected from various Army battalions of the division, he said.

“Equipment is not a problem because the Army has enough but admittedly there still a need to procure or acquire new and essential equipment of course,” Besana said.

He also said that the 90th IB is just one of the 10 battalions that will be activated to enhance the capacity and capability of the Philippine Army in order to better address various threats nationwide.

“We will ensure that the new battalion is ready before deploying wherever it is needed to fill in the gaps we observed,” Besana said of the new Army unit. “Hence, our people will also expect that the 90th IB in particular is ready to serve them and protect them based on our constitutional mandate.”

While the new unit is ready for deployment, Besana appealed to the people in Central Mindanao of their support in terms of cooperation, open communication, coordination and collaboration.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1017494