Army Zambales unit declared 1st 'territorial battalion'

MANILA, Philippines - The Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion based in Zambales has been declared the military’s first “territorial battalion” or a unit that integrates reservists and militiamen with soldiers.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the integration aims to provide reservists and CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAA) with the opportunity to join the military’s anti-insurgency efforts.

Burgos clarified though that tapping reservists and militiamen has nothing to do with the ongoing standoff in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is 124 nautical miles from the nearest base point in Zambales.

Burgos said the 24th IB passed the evaluation conducted by an Army technical working group that assessed its effectiveness.

Lt. Col. Michael Samson, 24th IB commander, said reservists and militiamen will soon play a more active role in their security plan.