120 Luzon-based soldiers deployed to Davao region

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

GOING AFTER BIFF Army troops arrive in Pikit, North Cotabato province, on Wednesday after Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff, ordered an “all-out” operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters whose members have been attacking communities in the province since last week. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO

JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — About 120 soldiers from Luzon were deployed to Davao region in Mindanao to augment forces battling communist rebels there.

The 120 new privates from the Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Nueva Ecija were deployed to Mindanao over the weekend, said 7ID spokesperson Captain Anthony Ruelos. They were transported through a Philippine C-130 cargo plane.

The soldiers were assigned to 69th Infantry Battalion; 71st Infantry Battalion, and 84th Infantry Battalion.

The deployment is “to augment our forces in Mindanao,” Ruelos said.

Davao region is one of the “priority areas” in anti-insurgency operations as a huge number of New People’s Army members are reportedly based there.