ANOTHER Army battalion was sent by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Visayas region as the government continue to its campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in that region.
Major General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (ID), led the send-off ceremony Monday, February 20, of the 42nd Infantry “Tagapagtanggol” Battalion (IB) at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City.
The 42IB, which is under the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, was placed under the operational control of the 1ID in confronting the NPA rebels and bring peace to the people of Zamboanga del Norte from November 30, 2015 to February 20, 2023.
A command plaque was handed by Colonel Eddie Pilapil, acting commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, to the 42IB in recognition for the efforts rendered by the battalion in the brigade's area of operation.
The 102nd Infantry Brigade is one of the three Army brigades that is under the operational control of the 1ID.
During the send-off ceremony, Nafarrete lauded the Tagapagtanggol troopers for their efforts in successfully conducting community-centered initiatives that provide a peaceful environment conducive to development in the unit's area of responsibility.
“As you bid farewell in the Western Mindanao Command area of operations, and embark in the new challenges in the Visayas command, bring forth with you the laurels of your unwavering service and the pride of the Tagapagtanggol Battalion,” Nafarrete said.
“Muli, kami sa Infantry (Tabak) Division ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong dedikasyon at serbisyo para sa tuluyang puksain at tuldukan ang karahasan at terorismo (Once again, we at the Infantry (Tabak) Division sincerely thank you for your dedication and service for the complete elimination and elimination of violence and terrorism),” Nafarrete added.
The 42IB was the second Army battalion the AFP sent to Visayas coming from Zamboanga Peninsula.
The first was the 74IB that departed Zamboanga City on Saturday, February 18.
The 74IB has served since 2019 as one of the operating units under the Joint Task Force Zamboanga. (SunStar Zamboanga)