‘Tagapagtanggol’ Battalion honored

CATBALOGAN CITY — A battalion from the Bicol Region-based Philippine Army received recognition for its successful campaign in Eastern Samar, where it played a pivotal role in decimating a guerrilla unit. This honor was bestowed shortly before the battalion returned to join its mother unit.

On 16 January 2025, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of Joint Task Force Storm and the 8th Infantry Division presented the Meritorious Merit Medal and Command Plaque to the 42nd Infantry “Tagapagtanggol” Battalion at the headquarters of the Tactical Operations Group 8, Philippine Air Force in Tacloban City.

The recognition celebrated the unit’s significant contributions to the Philippine government’s efforts to end local communist armed conflict in the region. This ceremony took place before the battalion’s return to its mother unit, the 9th Infantry Division, based in Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur.

The 42IB was deployed to Eastern Visayas on 20 February 2023, tasked with dismantling the remaining guerrilla units of the New People’s Army (NPA), particularly in Eastern Samar.

Before this deployment, the battalion played a key role in the liberation of Marawi from the ISIS-Maute Group and was also sent to Zamboanga del Norte to weaken the NPA’s Western Mindanao regional party committee.

In Eastern Samar, one of the battalion’s significant achievements was the successful dismantling of the ELCON Platoon of the Sub-Regional Committee Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee on 3 March 2023. The unit also recovered high-powered firearms and facilitated the capture or surrender of key communist personalities.

In his remarks, Major General Orio expressed deep gratitude to the 42IB for their dedication and tireless work in bringing peace and stability to Eastern Visayas.

“Through your tireless Community Support Operations and Mobile Community Support Sustainment Operations, you did more than neutralize threats and recover firearms — you brought hope and security to communities that longed for peace. Your efforts have strengthened the foundation of long-lasting peace and sustainable development for the people of Eastern Visayas,” Orio said.