Battalion activated vs communist rebels in Southern Tagalog

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines  – Another Army battalion will fight communist rebels in Southern Tagalog.

Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Burgos, 2nd Infantry Division (ID) commander, said the activation of the 59th Infantry Battalion (IB) was in response to President Duterte’s directive to end local communist armed conflict before the end of his term.

“The unit has the potential to be the game changer in our quest to finally eradicate the menace of insurgency,” Burgos said.

Lt. Col. Edward Canlas was designated battalion commander.

Prior to its activation as a combat unit, the 59th ID was the administrator of the auxilliary forces of the 2nd ID.