Samar Army sends off troops to Sulu in fight vs Abu Sayyaf

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division has sent more than 300 soldiers from Samar Island to help pursue the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu province.

On Wednesday, the army division held a send-off ceremony for the 63rd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar province at the Calbayog City Airport.

The battalion consists of 297 military personnel and 14 officials who will participate in the ongoing military offensives to neutralize the terrorist group.

The deployment came after the bloody encounter between government troops and Abu Sayyaf that claimed lives of 15 soldiers.

Lt. Col. Carmelito Pangatungan, 63rd IB commander said that they are well-prepared for the assignment.

“Even before we were informed on this assignment, I already told my troop of the possibility that we will be assigned in Sulu. As soldiers, it is our mandate to run after bad elements, terrorists that are threat for the attainment of lasting peace in the country,” he told reporters.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 soldiers deployed to Sulu to fight against the terrorist group.

Brig. Gen. Cesar Idio, assistant 8th ID commander reminded the soldiers to be careful, enhance commandership, develop leadership, and continue with the needed training.

“Of course, do not forget to pray as this is our only hope,” Idio told the soldiers.

Idio assured that even with the transfer of 63rd IB, it will not affect the operation of the division particularly in previously covered areas in Northern Samar and parts of Calbayog City.

“We assessed the situation. The regional police will also align their forces to cover the gaps created by the pull-out,” he added.

The battalion took an active part to the declaration of Northern Samar as peace and development-ready province and Calbayog City as manageable conflict affected and development-ready city.

The troop also contributed to the declaration of 12 towns in Northern Samar as insurgency-free.

The 63rd IB is the fourth military unit from Eastern Visayas assigned to Mindanao. Early this year, 

the government deployed the entire 19th IB force based in Kananga, Leyte to Cotabato province.

Last year, the division also sent the 34th IB to Maguindanao in support for military operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), Justice for Islamic Movement (JIM) and other lawless elements undermining the peace and development efforts in the South.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan admitted that the deployment of troops from Samar province to Mindanao may have an impact on the peace and order situation in the province, a former hotbed of armed rebels.

“The Army assured us, however, that in the event an insurgency may arise again in the province, they will order the return of military forces to Samar Island,” the governor said.

Problem on accessibility connecting towns and villages in Samar provinces is among the reasons why some parts of the island remained a stronghold of communist rebels.

“They were also planning to transfer the 87th IB, but we asked them to retain the military troops and we are happy that they granted our request,” Tan added. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG–ALLEGADO & ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR