New Army unit activated vs Abu Sayyaf
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Another Army brigade has been activated to help in the campaign against Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander, led the activation of the 1103rd Brigade on Tuesday.
Col. Eugenio Boquio was appointed commander of the military unit.
Boquio served as chief of staff of the JTFS in 2017 and was former commander of the Scout Ranger Battalion, which is also tasked to go after Abu Sayyaf bandits. The 11th ID now has three Army brigades and a Marine brigade aside from units of the Special Operation Command, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.
The Philippine National Police also has a strong presence of elite units from the Special Action Force and Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Gonzales said around 500 Tausugs have abeen enlisted to the 11th ID while a battalion of Tausug reservists was activated earlier this month.
“This provides an opportunity for the people of Sulu to take an active and meaningful role in securing their land,” he said.
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