TROOPS of the 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) are currently undergoing a two-week Defensive Operations Training facilitated by the 1st Infantry Division (1ID), with US military counterparts serving as subject matter experts.
The 53IB said the training, which started on Wednesday, June 18, is being conducted in Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, which houses the headquarters of the 1ID in Pulucan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
The training is part of the Philippine Army’s continuing efforts to bolster the unit’s war fighting readiness and capability to conduct defensive operations aligned with the demands of modern warfare and external defense.
The 53IB said the training participants engage in scenario-based simulations and battlefield problem-solving exercises that strengthen their decision-making and operational leadership under pressure with the guidance of US defense experts and trainings from the 1ID.
The intensive training aims to enhance the tactical and operational proficiency of its troops in key areas of defensive doctrine, including sector defense planning, fortification construction, integrated fire coordination, counter-mobility operations, and command and control procedures.
“The collaborative setup fosters cross-training, knowledge exchange, and the development of joint interoperability with allied forces,” the 53IB said.
Before the training, the 1ID conducted campaign assessment on Tuesday, June 17, that brought together commanders and key staff to evaluate unit performance and align with the Philippine Army’s shift to External Security Operations (ESO). (SunStar Zamboanga)