MANILA, Philippines — The Sulu-based 11th Infantry “Alakdan” (Scorpion) Division of the Army formed a new battalion on Monday to further boost the military’s counterterrorism operations in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The division commander, Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, led the activation of the 101st Infantry Battalion at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu.
Lt. Col. Michael Maquilan was designated commander of the newest battalion, which adopted the name “Huwathuwat,” a Tausug word that roughly translates to hope.
Gonzales said the word reflected the current disposition of the people of Sulu, hopeful and confident about their future. Gonzales said the battalion would undergo organizational training before deployment to Sulu.