1ST INFANTRY DIVISION RECEIVES, DEPLOYS UNITS
 |
Brigadier General Gerardo F Barrientos Jr AFP, Commander of 1st Infantry Division addresses the troops of 41st Infantry (Partner for Peace) Battalion led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio M Noora during the Welcome Ceremony at the Division Grandstand last 09 October 2014.
|
Two Send-off Ceremonies were held in the Division Headquarters last October 4 and October 11 for the 32nd Infantry (DAREDEVIL) Battalion and 35th Infantry (MAKAMANDAG) Battalion prior to their deployment to Jolo, Sulu.
The Army units of 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions will replace the Marine Battalions in Sulu Province that will be deployed to Palawan and other territorial borders.
The repositioning of units is part of the strengthening of the military forces to address the emerging threats in the region.
The 21st Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo N Diaz Jr, took over the area of responsibility of 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Gregorio S Nieveras in Zamboanga del Sur and parts of Zamboanga del Norte while the 41st Infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio M Noora, replaced the 35th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Marces T Gayat in Lanao del Norte.
The soldiers of 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions also underwent a series of orientation lectures to familiarize them to their new area of operation to include Cultural Sensitivity Seminars to inform our soldiers of the custom and traditions of the different tribes in Western Mindanao.
On the other hand, the 501st Infantry Brigade another Army unit from Luzon, will supervise the operations of 32nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion and 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion. Both units have been previously deployed to Jolo, Sulu and several soldiers of this units are Tausug, natives of Sulu Province, which will hopefully be a tool in creating a bridge between the local communities and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
During the Welcome Ceremony, Brigadier General Gerardo F. Barrientos Jr., Commander of 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division said, “As soldiers, we must be used to move from one assignment to the other. I also experienced what you are experiencing right now. It is part and parcel of the military profession. I assure you that you will be surprised to know that Mindanao is beautiful, peaceful and hospitable.
The Luzon-based units are most welcome to the home of the premier Division of the AFP.
The soldiers of 21IB and 41IB will not have hard a time adjusting to their new area because there are several Ilocanos who opted to settle here in Mindanao. Your expertise on peace and development activities in Luzon will also be applicable and I know your skills are at par with 32IB and 35IB that will certainly sustain the gains of the Division in terms of peace and security. I know that Army units in the country are equally capable in addressing various threats whether man-made or natural such as terrorism, disaster, environmental, and support to law enforcement and many others”.
For the send-off Ceremonies for the 32nd and 41st Infantry Battalion, BGEN BARRIENTOS said that he is confident that the two (2) units of 1st Infantry Division will continue the thrust in “Winning the Peace” in Sulu Province.
 |
The troops of 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Marces T Gayat during their Send-off Ceremony at the Division Headquarters last 11 October 2014.
|
 |
The troops of 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Marces T Gayat during boarding of C-130 at Pagadian City after their Send-off Ceremony at the Divisioneadquarters last 04 October 2014.
|
