ADDITIONAL troops will arrive in Eastern Mindanao and will be attached to the 1003rd Infantry Brigade by February, providing the much needed boost to the unit in ensuring the security within their area of responsibility.
Colonel Ernesto Torres, 1003rd Infantry Brigade (IB) commander, told reporters Wednesday, January 24, during the AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that they are expecting by next month the coming of the 56th IB, which is based in Bicol.
"One battalion is expected to report to me within first week of February and that would be the 56th Infantry Battalion coming from Luzon," Torres said.
The battalion, he said, is composed of 400 to 500 soldiers who will be stationed in some parts of North Cotabato and boundaries of Bukidnon.
Torres said that 1003rd Infantry Brigade has currently three battalions, including the 3rd, 16th and 89th Infantry Battalion, which was formed October last year. His area of responsibility covers the Metro Davao, Sto. Tomas, Dujali, Carmen, Panabo, Island Garden of Samal and now expanded to Talaingod in Davao del Norte.
"With the addition of one more battalion, we expect that we will be in a better position to defeat the threat particularly the CPP-NPA in Metro Davao," Torres said.
He also said that added to this battalion are several separate companies armor, intelligence, artillery, CMO Company, and other complimentary units for the Brigade.
Torres said they have recruited 80 new IP regular soldiers who recently graduated in the basic military training last December.
Likewise, he said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio approved the recruitment of two special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit companies termed as CAA II, wherein per company is composed of 120 soldiers.