ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Army’s newly-activated 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 1st Infantry Division (ID) will undergo organizational training starting Thursday, military officials said.
Maj. Ronald Suscano, 1st ID information officer, said the new battalion was activated last April 10, pursuant to General Orders No. 211 dated March 24, 2018. The 97th IB was among the 10 additional battalions the Philippine Army has established.
Suscano said the activation of the new battalion aims to augment the units deployed in Western Mindanao, as well as sustain the gains of the 1st ID in maintaining peace and development in its area of responsibility.
Lt. Col. Rufino de Leon has been named as commander of the 97th IB, initially to be composed of 400 soldiers, including some of the new privates who completed training on April 5.
Previously, de Leon was the commandant of the 1st Division Training School.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, 1st ID commander, advised de leon to “always think (of) the welfare of each and every one of you so as nobody in your unit will be placed in danger. Also, don’t forget the discipline and the prestige of a real Pilipino soldier.”
Murillo added that the organizational training for 97th IB was designed to enhance the competence and individual skills of every soldier and also to develop teamwork as a unit.
“Training builds competence, and competence builds confidence,” he said. (PNA)
