General Gilbert Gapay, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has recognized various military units for dismantling 13 communist fronts in their respective area commands in 2020, the military said Saturday, Jan. 16.
Gapay bestowed battle streamer awards to the military units during a command conference held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, Jan. 15.
"Despite the pandemic, AFP soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines were able to persevere and continue its commitment in defeating internal security threats such as the CTGs ," he said.
The AFP Chief challenged the military units to sustain their military offensives so they can achieve their goal of crushing the communist insurgency by 2022.
"Let us not rest on our laurels. Let these gains serve as an inspiration for us to deliver some more and perform better. Let us continue to be proactive and innovative in our ways to sustain our operational momentum," Gapay said.
NoLCom
In the Northern Luzon Command (NoLCom), Gapay awarded the 7th Infantry Division, 702nd Infantry Brigade, and 81st Infantry Battalion as the main units which led the dismantling of the "Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-South Ilocos Sur."
Also cited for their supporting role were the 69th, 24th, and 70th Infantry Battalions, 2nd Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Company, 73rd Military Intelligence (MI) Company, 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company, and Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 1 of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Meanwhile, battle campaign streamers were awarded to the 5th Infantry Division, 502nd Infantry Brigade, and 86th Infantry Battalion for leading the destruction of the "Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Quirino-Nueva Vizcaya."
The 95th and 17th Infantry Battalion, 5th MI Battalion, 5th CMO Battalion, and TOG 2 were recognized for their supporting role in destroying the same communist fronts.
SoLCom
In the Southern Luzon Command (SoLCom), the 2nd Infantry Division, 202nd Infantry Brigade, and 80th Infantry Battalion were rewarded for leading the campaign that led to the end of the "Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Cesar."
Cited for its supporting role were the 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd MI Battalion, 2nd CMO Battalion, 4th Intelligence Service Unit (ISU), 14th Army Intelligence Battalion, Naval Intelligence Security Group National Capital Region, TOG 4, and 730th Combat Group of PAF.
The 202nd Infantry Brigade and 730th Combat Group of PAF were awarded for leading the dismantling of the "Platun Silangan Sub-Regional Military Area-4C, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee."
Also awarded were the 201st Infantry Brigade and 85th Infantry Battalion for destroying the "Platun Japson of Sub-Regional Military Area-4B, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee."
CentCom
In Central Command (CentCom), the 3rd Infantry Division together with the 302nd Infantry Brigade and 11th Infantry Battalion were awarded for leading the fighting against the "South East Front of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor."
The TOG 6 were cited for its supporting role in the anti-communist campaign in the area.
EastMinCom
In the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), the 10th Infantry Division together with the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and 3rd Infantry Battalion were honored as the main units that destroyed the "Guerilla Front 56." The TOG 11 also received an award for its supporting role.
The 1001st Infantry Brigade and 25th Infantry Battalion led the dismantling of the "Guerilla Front 33" while TOG 11 served in a supporting role.
Also awarded were the 1002nd Infantry Brigade and 73rd Infantry Battalion as the main units; and MI Group 11, 10th MI Battalion, 11th ISU, 2nd Field Artillery (FA) Battalion, 10th CMO Battalion, and TOG 11 as supporting units that dismantled the "Guerilla Front Tala."
WestMinCom
In Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), the 1st Infantry Division together with 102nd Infantry Brigade and 44th Infantry Battalion were awarded as the main units that crushed the "Guerilla Front Feliciano A."
Cited for its supporting roles were the 97th and 42nd Infantry Battalion, 1st MI Battalion, 1st ISU, 1st FA Battalion, 1st CMO Battalion, MI Group 10, 14th Army Intelligence Battalion, 1st Cavalry Battalion, K9 Battalion, 1st Signal Battalion, 1st Forward Support Medical Company, and TOG 9.
The 102nd Infantry Brigade and 53rd Infantry Battalion were awarded as the main units that defeated the "Main Regional Guerrilla Unit Andoy, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee."
Likewise, the 102nd Infantry Brigade and 97th Infantry Battalion were recognized for leading the fight against the "Kalaw, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee."
Lastly, the 102nd Infantry Brigade and 1st CMO Battalion were awarded for leading the campaign against the "Regional Urban Committee-Regional Operations Command, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee."