Philippine Army to send more troops in Mindanao to counter ISIS recruitment

More and more troops will be sent Western Mindanao following the reports that ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is recruiting members.

The Armed Forces Chief General Catapang Jr. ordered 501st Infantry Brigade and   the attached units redeployed from Northern Luzon in order to strengthen the security in Zamboanga peninsula and Sulu archipelago.

Provinces of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Mountain, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Baguio City now under protection of 5th Infantry Division based in Gamu, Isabela.

The Public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said that the Armed Forces already turned over anti—insurgency operations in the enumerated provinces to local government.

“As a result of this, the Armed Forces is exercising its flexibility by realigning our units so that we can focus our security operations in areas that are more affected by armed conflicts.”

21st Infantry Battalion and 41st Infantry Battalion will be redeployed in Zamboanga peninsula and 501st Brigade headquarters will be moved to Sulu.