Army forms unit in Mindanao to fight urban terror

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO—The military’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) based here has activated a new Army battalion to combat urban terrorism and prevent a siege, similar to what happened in Marawi City, in areas under its watch, an Army official said.

The 6th ID has jurisdiction over Maguindanao province, portions of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces, and some towns in the second congressional district of Lanao del Sur province, including communities near Butig town, where the Maute terror group started building its forces.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, chief of the 6th ID’s civil military operations, said the new 90th Infantry Battalion (IB) was undergoing a monthlong organizational process and would be based in Cotabato City.

Besana said the new unit, which would “act as deterrent to a Marawi City-like siege,” was among 10 antiterror battalions that the Army had started to organize across the country.

Besana said veteran soldiers who would make up the new unit, which he would head, would undergo refresher courses.

He said some unit members were attending a special skills and capability refresher course at the Division Training School here.

“All personnel who compose the unit are actually battle-tested and experienced in countering violent extremism in Central Mindanao,” Besana said.

“Equipment is not a big problem because the Army has enough but … there is still a need to procure or acquire new and essential equipment,” he added.

He said the military would ensure that the new battalion was ready to take on terror threats before deployment.

“Hence, our people should also expect that the 90th IB, in particular, is ready to serve them and protect them based on our constitutional mandate,” he said.

Besana asked residents of Central Mindanao for support.

“As I have said before, peace is everybody’s concern. Therefore, we should all work together for the [sake] of Central Mindanao. We have to have unity amid diversity,” he said. —EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ