Duterte activates 11th Infantry Division in Sulu

Sulu is the southernmost province of the Philippines. (Image from Google Maps)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday activated a new military division in Jolo, Sulu following his remark that he would want to stop the attacks and killings being perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the area.

Duterte led the activation of the 11th Infantry (Alakdan) Division in Jolo, Sulu at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista headquarters.

With this new activation, the Philippine Army has now 11 infantry divisions.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and presidential adviser for military affairs Arthur Tabaquero joined the President during the activation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Malacañang said the President “decided to place 840 troops and air assets from the Philippine Air Force in the area.”

Duterte also led the ceremonial giving of pistols and food packs to the soldiers of the Alakdan Division.

In November, the chief executive said he would deploy an entire military division to Jolo, a known hotbed of terrorists, to help secure peace and order in the region.

The activation of the 11th Infantry Division came days after Congress approved the President’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 2019. /atm