453 new soldiers join fight against Abu Sayyaf

THE government’s anti-terror campaign got a boost as 453 new soldiers joined the ranks of the 11th Infantry Division (ID), which is dedicated in fighting the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-affiliated terrorist group in Sulu.

The new soldiers have completed on Saturday, August 6, 2022 the two-month competency training as an infantry soldier at the 11th Division Training School (DTS) in Camp Bud Datu in Tagbak village, Indanan, Sulu.

Colonel Leomar Doctolero, 11DTS commandant, said in a statement Tuesday, August 9, 2022 that the 453 new privates are composed of 412 males and 41 females who were deployed to different infantry battalions in Sulu.

The new soldiers composed of graduates from Candidate Soldier Course Classes of 680, 681 and 682 at the 11DTS.

Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, 11ID commander, welcomed them as they will be part of the anti-terrorism campaign in Sulu.

Patrimonio said in a statement Tuesday the training they have undergone is part of their readiness prior to their deployment to the different battalions and be part of the "peace and security campaign in the province of Sulu.”

“Never forget the things you have learned at 11th DTS as you were molded to be a well-disciplined soldier,” Patrimonio said.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, led the activation of the 11ID on December 17, 2018 at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, headquarters of Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu in Bus-Bus village, Jolo, Sulu.

Composed of units already present in Sulu working under JTF-Sulu, the various units were formed into a new Division dedicated in fighting the ISIS affiliated terrorist groups in the province.

The government troops continue to gain headway in its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu. (SunStar Zamboanga)