Kalinaw News: 11th Infantry “ALAKDAN” Division celebrates 2nd Anniversary with AFP Chief of Staff

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 10, 2020): 11th Infantry “ALAKDAN” Division celebrates 2nd Anniversary with AFP Chief of Staff



December 10, 2020, Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – The 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division celebrates its 2nd anniversary at its Headquarters at Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu.

The 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division, which was activated on December 1, 2018, celebrated its second anniversary today at its headquarters at Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu. The event was graced by several notable personalities including Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gilbert I Gapay.

Just for the year 2020, the division have yielded significant intelligence and operational accomplishments including the neutralization of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the leader of ISIS linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu. The unit also played an integral role in the foiling of a planned suicide bombing in the town of Jolo as well as the neutralization of seven ASG members who intended to conduct kidnapping activities in Surigao province.

In his speech, General Gapay recognized the division’s remarkable contribution to the country’s peace and security. “This year, our nation faced several unforeseen challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the middle of these setbacks, here you are directly confronting terrorism. Although the Alakdan division is a relatively new unit, I am very proud of you as you were able to achieve numerous accomplishments. Your part is of high importance in the achievement of the Armed Forces’ mission. Continue on this endeavor. I trust that you will excel even more knowing that all our efforts are all in pursuit of the Filipino nation’s peace and security.”

For his part, MGen Gonzales attributed the achievements of the division to the support of the local government units and the people of Sulu. “I am fortunate that I have snappy officers and hardworking troops to accomplish our mission. But all these feats were made possible with the help of the LGU and, of course, the local communities. They report enemy location and activities. They convince their fellowmen to lay down their arms and return to a life of peace. And they join the security forces. We have the Barangay Peace Action Teams, the Civillian Armed Force Geographic Unit (CAFGUs), and more than 500 Tausugs now enlisted as Alakdan soldiers. With these concerted efforts, the Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) was able to bring home the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who left their land because of the terror brought about by the ASG.”

The program was also attended by Governor and PTF-ELAC Chairman Abdusakur M Tan; Hon Abdusakur A Tan II; Sulu 1st District Congressman Samier M Tan and several mayors of the province. Also present is the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram; the president of Notre Dame College, Fr Eduardo M Santoyo and Ustadz Mohainmen J Abubakar.

Earlier today, Lieutenant General Corleto S Vinluan Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command and MGen Gonzales held a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 36 fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of the peace that the Tausug’s are calling for.

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