Military intensifies push vs NPA
The 4SRBn, an elite striking unit of the AFP, is credited for significant accomplishments against the communist New People’s Army in the CARAGA region
Daily TribuneThe 4SRBn, an elite striking unit of the AFP, is credited for significant accomplishments against the communist New People’s Army in the CARAGA region
CATBALOGAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed one of its elite battalions as it gears for the final push to totally eradicate the communist New People's Army in Samar Island.
The 4th Scout Ranger "Masigasig" Battalion or the 4SRBn arrived Calbayog Port on Sunday, 11 December and was personally received by Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and Major General Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division and Commander of the AFP's Joint Task Force Storm.
The 4SRBn, an elite striking unit of the AFP, is credited for significant accomplishments against the communist New People's Army in the CARAGA region and campaigns against Moro insurgency in Mindanao.
The unit figured prominently in the five-month long battle against the ISIS-Maute group in liberating Marawi City last 2017, fought the Moro National Liberation Front rebels that launched Zamboanga Siege in 2013 and combated against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the Mamasapano incident in Maguindanao last January 2015.
Before their deployment in Samar, the 4SRBn underwent a retraining in Australia to enhance their capability in air to ground combat operations and small unit operations.
Ligayo said the elite military unit will be doing the "finishing touches" in the campaign against insurgency which the AFP targets to totally eradicate on the first quarter of next year.
Newly-minted JTF Storm spokesperson Capt. Jefferson Mariano said that the 4SRBn will be under the operational control of JTF Storm and will stay in Eastern Visayas for an indefinite period until a new guidance is issued by the AFP headquarters.
Mariano said that while the unit will be primarily placed in the Samar Island, its area of operations will cover the whole Eastern Visayas region.
"This is a striking unit so they can be sent anywhere," Mariano said.
While the Scout Rangers are adept in combat operations, Mariano said the deployment of 4SRBn in Samar Island is for peace and development in the area.
"They will help in securing the projects that were implemented in the different barangays under the barangay development programs of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict," Mariano said.
During the arrival honors, Ligayo extolled the qualities of the unit that earned them a high respect from civilians for their gallantry and experience in combat operations.