1st Infantry Division Receives and Deploys Units

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Oct. 15, 2014-MPF News)) –– The 1^st Infantry (TABAK) Division welcomed the arrival of Luzon-based units the 21^st Infantry (Invincible) Battalion and 41^st Infantry (Partners for Peace) Battalion at Pagadian City on October 2 and October  9, respectively.

Two Send-off Ceremonies were held in the Division Headquarters last October 4 and October 11 for the 32^nd Infantry (DAREDEVIL) Battalion and 35^th Infantry (MAKAMANDAG) Battalion prior to their deployment to Jolo, Sulu, Military Official said.   

Premier Army’s Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer Capt Franco Suelto said the Army units of 32^nd and 35^th Infantry Battalions will replace the Marine Battalions in Sulu Province that will be deployed to Palawan and other territorial borders. 

The repositioning of units is part of the strengthening of the military forces to address the emerging threats in the region.

The 21^st Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo N Diaz Jr, took over the area of responsibility of 32^nd Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Gregorio S Nieveras in Zamboanga del Sur and parts of Zamboanga del Norte while the 41^st Infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio M Noora, replaced the 35^th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Marces T Gayat in Lanao del Norte. 

The soldiers of 21^st and 41^st Infantry Battalions also underwent a series of orientation lectures to familiarize them to their new area of operation to include Cultural Sensitivity Seminars to inform our soldiers of the custom and traditions of the different tribes in Western Mindanao.

                                                                                    

On the other hand, the 501st Infantry Brigade another Army unit from Luzon, will supervise the operations of 32^nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion and 35^th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion.  Both units have been previously deployed to Jolo, Sulu and several soldiers of this units are Tausug, natives of Sulu Province, which will hopefully be a tool in creating a bridge between the local communities and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

During the Welcome Ceremony, 1^st Infantry (TABAK) Division Commander Brigadier General Gerardo F. Barrientos Jr. said, “As soldiers, we must be used to move from one assignment to the other. I also experienced what you are experiencing right now. It is part and parcel of the military profession. I assure you that you will be surprised to know that Mindanao is beautiful, peaceful and hospitable. The Luzon-based units are most welcome to the home of the premier Division of the AFP.  The soldiers of 21IB and 41IB will not have hard a time adjusting to their new area because there are several Ilocanos who opted to settle here in Mindanao.   Your expertise on peace and development activities in Luzon will also be applicable and I know your skills are at par with 32IB and 35IB that will certainly sustain the gains of the Division in terms of peace and security.  I know that Army units in the country are equally capable in addressing various threats whether man-made or natural such as terrorism, disaster, environmental, and support to law enforcement and many others”.

For the send-off Ceremonies for the 32^nd and 41^st Infantry Battalion, BGEN Barrientos said that he is confident that the two (2) units of 1^st Infantry Division will continue the thrust in “Winning the Peace” in Sulu Province.  The Command will sustain the gains that the Marine units established during their stint in the island, and the Army contingent will work side by side with the remaining Marine units and most importantly with the stakeholders led by the Local Chief Executives and traditional leaders so that peace and development will reign in every community in the island.