(Photo courtesy of 8th Infantry Division)
MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday announced that 400 soldiers from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion arrived at the Calbayog City Port in Samar on Dec. 11 to help in the ongoing anti-insurgency campaign in Eastern Visayas region.
The 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, headed by Lt. Col. Ricarte Dayata, will also augment units of the 8th Infantry Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Camilo Z. Ligayo.
”Remain alert and vigilant as you join our fight against the communist terrorists here in Eastern Visayas. I trust that everyone remains mission-oriented and always respects human rights, adhere to the international humanitarian law and the rule of law as you proceed to your area of operations,” Ligayo said.
The 4th Scout Ranger Battalion -- which earlier helped in the anti-insurgency campaign in the Caraga region in northeastern Mindanao -- will be deployed to Northern Samar where four rebel fronts are still active, said Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement.
Prior to their deployment to Eastern Visayas, the Scout Rangers underwent battalion retraining in Australia to bolster their air-to-ground combat and small-unit operation capabilities. (PNA)
