A NEW battalion assigned in the 10th Infantry Division (ID) was activated on Monday, September 25, at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr., Barangay Tuboran, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province.
The new battalion is seen to complement the efforts and further boost the capacity of the troops in its counter-insurgency campaign especially in Davao Region.
Captain Rhyan Batchar, 10th ID spokesperson, in a statement issued Monday, said the newly-activated 89th "Makatao" Infantry Battalion (IB), which is pursuant to General Orders No. 818 issued on September 15, will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (Ltc.) Luciano Caiman Jr., who was the former commander of the 72nd IB.
The 89th IB will help in security monitoring and addressing the threats posed by lawless armed groups.
Caiman thanked the 10th ID for entrusting him the leadership of the 72IB as he embarks on a new challenge to lead the 89th IB.
Batchar said the 89th IB will be composed of officers and enlisted personnel coming from the line battalions under 10th ID.
"The Philippine Army has directed the activation and operationalization of 10 additional infantry battalions where the 10th Infantry Division was among the priority to be given an additional battalion ahead of the other Army major units being part of the National Priority Areas in terms of the insurgency problem in the parts of South Eastern Mindanao," the statement read.
Meanwhile, 10th ID commander Major General Noel Clement said the Philippine Army has issued a Letter Directive last September 5 for the operation of new light infantry battalions tasked to assist on the counter-insurgency of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, anti-illegal drugs, and anti-Private Armed Groups operations of other agencies.
"The command has its full trust and confidence on choosing the leadership of Ltc. Caiman, as the pioneer commander of 89IB," Clement added.
"We assure the 89th IB of our full support on its operational and administrative needs of the unit for the accomplishment of assigned tasks," he added.
The Organizational Training of the 89th IB was also opened prior to its deployment and will be conducted by the 10th Division Training School.
Meanwhile, Ltc. Davice Christopher Mercado also assumed as the new 72nd IB commander where he said he understands the needed role and importance of the Cafgu Active Auxiliaries in the campaign of the division.
Meanwhile, Batchar said a total of 431 new privates who finished their Candidate Soldier Course at the 2nd Infantry Division based in Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal and the 10th Infantry Division were sent off to their respective units.