MAKILALA, COTABATO – The 39th Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army received the most prestigious Campaign Streamer Award during the visit of Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), General Andres C. Centino, last April 23, 2022.
This was after the battalion successfully dismantled a certain Guerilla Front (GF) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in its area of responsibility, that led to the weakening of insurgency in that part of Mindanao.
CSAFP, General Centino himself, lauded the works of the units under the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) for having successfully and positively responded to the insurgency problems of the area. Seven Units from the EastMinCom were awarded with the Campaign Streamer Award, that gives recognition and commendation for a steadfast actualization of the units’ goals and aims in accordance with the nation’s safekeeping of security, protection, and responsibility.
39th Infantry Battalion, one of the seven recipients of the respected award, had actually dismantled Guerilla Front (GF) Alip of the Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).
The battalion’s continuing effort and initiative of fighting against the insurgency situation of its area of responsibility and peace-building activities had been the guiding principles of the unit to uphold the protection of the civilian; assistance and guidance of the communities; and amplification of peace and development endeavors.
In an interview made with LTC Ezra Balagtey, Commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion, he signified that,
“This Streamer (award) na ating natanggap dito sa ating Battalion, is just a symbol ng ating pagtutulungan. It’s a victory of everybody, it’s not only the battalion.”
He also added that the dismantling of the GF Alip was also through the collaboration of the unit and all its stakeholders and partner agencies that provided a significant contribution to the successful undertaking.
He also emphasized that the triumph the battalion is experiencing with the award, was actually because of the efforts and teamwork of the involved key people, even from the lowest rank of the officers; and that this team effort is the response of the NTF-ELCAC’s mission on weakening CTGs to be able to find genuine peace and development.
