(File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) said plans are in place to increase its Brigade Combat Team (BCT) to respond to various security threats.
"The Army intends to incrementally increase the number of BCTs in the medium term consistent with the prevailing and emerging threat environment," Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a message on Friday when asked how many BCTs the PA is planning to create.
The BCT is the Army’s primary combined arms and rapid deployment unit.
"It is composed of combat, combat support, and combat service support elements in the conduct of operation to accomplish tasks in support to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) mission," Trinidad said.
At present, the PA has already one BCT aptly named the "1BCT" which was activated in December 2018 and deployed in Sulu helping with ongoing efforts to neutralize local terrorist groups there.
Asked if the 1BCT's complement is already complete, Trinidad said efforts are now ongoing to further beef the 1BCT.
This is needed to increase its "operational readiness" needed to perform its missions, he added.
"The Army vowed to enhance the BCT’s manning and unit’s capabilities to increase its operational readiness in the accomplishment of its tasks," Trinidad said.
BCTs are formed to address the need of the PA for forces that can be quickly committed for action in cases such as the 2013 Zamboanga City siege and the 2017 battle for Marawi City. (PNA)
