By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Army (PA) activated the 6th Mechanized Infantry “Salaknib” Battalion of the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) on Friday.
In a statement Saturday, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said the event was spearheaded by PA Commander, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, at Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
“The battalion is an addition to the MID forces which forms part of the Army’s cutting edge in conducting prompt and sustained ground operations in support of AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) mission,” Villanueva said. “Its activation is an offshoot of the continuing Army capability upgrade as it undertakes transformation to give rise to a modular force structure aimed at creating standardized, flexible and versatile elements capable of accomplishing virtually any assigned task.”
The battalion will be the mechanized component of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) of the PA which was just activated in December 2018.
“True to your name ‘Salaknib’, which means shield in Ilocano, your unit symbolizes protection, strength, and security as you serve as the rapid deployment force of the Mechanized Infantry Division responding to the requirements of the Philippine Army in the conduct of ground operations against emerging security threats,” Alberto said during the activation ceremonies.
Villanueva said the 1BCT is a contingency force that is readily deployable and capable in addressing unconventional threats to national security.
Other maneuver components of the 1BCT are two infantry battalions and maneuver support consisting of specialized enablers such as field artillery and engineer combat battalions, reconnaissance company and units from signal, intelligence, civil-military operations, military police, explosive ordnance, CBRN (chemical biological radiological and nuclear), and sustainment components composed of a forward service support unit and a forward medical platoon.
