Defunct IB revived to boost counter-insurgency drive

The Army activated yesterday one of its defunct infantry brigades that saw action in Mindanao in the mid ’90s to boost the military’s campaign against Communist rebels in Central Luzon.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado led the reactivation of the 701st Infantry Brigade in a ceremony at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, home of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, which has jurisdiction over the region.

Ibrado also installed Col. Gominto Perino as the chief of the revived Army brigade, which would have around 1,500 troops under it.

Maj. Charlemagne Batayola, 7th ID spokesman said the reactivation of the said unit is pursuant to General Order Number 411, issued by the Army headquarters effective Aug. 15.

“In line with the directive set forth by the higher headquarters, the reactivation of the 701st brigade will be initiated to effectively address the three sub-military areas where the 10 Sangay Partido sa Platun of the Communist Terrorist Movement was concentrated,” he said.

He said that Central Luzon, being close to the seat of government, is one of the priority areas because of its strategic importance to the military’s internal security operations campaign.

With the reactivation, 7th ID would now have three infantry brigades, the 701st, 702nd and 703rd under its operational control.

The 701st Brigade would temporarily hold camp at Fort Magsaysay until the personnel fill up is completed.

As a background, the 701st Infantry Brigade was deployed in Mindanao in 1995 to command and control the battalions of the 7th ID, address the alarming threat and support the campaign against MILF. 

The unit was then absorbed by the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro in 2004 and was renamed as the 404th Infantry Brigade and later known as the 1001st Infantry Brigade.