AFP augments forces in Sulu, bares activation of new Army brigade
THE military has beefed up its forces in Sulu in a bid to thwart what is believed to be another unfolding plot by foreigninspired extremists to sow a fresh wave of terror in Mindanao.
Major Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and the Army’s 11th Infantry Division (ID), led the activation on Tuesday of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade and installed Col. Eugenio Boquio as its commander.
Gonzales said the activation of the new brigade made the 11th ID based in Sulu, now having three army brigades and one marine brigade, thus solidifying the presence of the military in the province.
“The creation of the new brigade is a significant step towards sustainable and inclusive peace in Sulu as we intend to fill it up with Tausug recruits. This provides an opportunity for the people of Sulu to take an active and meaningful role in securing their land,” he said.
“Jtf-sulu’s powerhouse team
welcomes another brilliant officer to its lineup.
To 1103rd Brigade Commander, Col Boquio, I expect nothing less than excellent leadership and constant collaboration with other security forces, local government units and agencies, and the general public of Sulu,” Gonzales added.
Sulu has become the “center of gravity” for terrorism lately following the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) during the siege of Marawi City in 2017.
While the military, especially the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu has consistently neutralized terrorist leaders, both from the Abu Sayyaf Group and the IS in Sulu, including IS leader in Mindanao Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and his heir-apparent, Mannul Sawadjaan, the province has seen cases of suicide bombings following the retreat there of the IS, which is aiming to recover.
Sulu is also the base of Radullan Sahiron, the “emir” of the ASG, and other hardcore leaders of the local terrorist group.
It was in the province where the IS is reportedly attempting to recruit suicide bombers.
Boquio expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to lead the brigade in the military’s counterterrorism operations in Sulu.
Before leading the new brigade, Boquio held the position as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s Special Operations Command. He also served as the chief of staff of the JTF-SULU in 2017 and commander of the First Scout Ranger Battalion from October 2014 to March 2016.
The 11th ID has four operational brigades in Sulu, including a marine brigade.
The 1101st Infantry Brigade is responsible for securing the southern portion of the 1st District of Sulu while the 1102nd Brigade is in charge of the town of Patikul that lies on the northern portion of the same district.
The entire second district of Sulu falls under the responsibility of the 4th Marine Brigade. The 1103rd Infantry Brigade’s deployment is yet to be determined.