New head of Army unit vs Abu Sayyaf assumes post

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An Army brigade tasked to lead the campaign against Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu has a new commander.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, head of Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division, led the change of command ceremony as Col. Benjamin Batara Jr. took over as  1102nd Infantry Brigade (IB) commander based at Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak in Indanan town.

Batara took over the post from Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, who will  head the 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) that the former had occupied.

Gonzales said Patrimonio enabled the local government to bring home displaced residents of Barangays Maligay and Kabbon Takas in Patikul during his stint at the 1102nd IB.

He said Batara’s leadership of the 1st BCT, on the other hand, resulted in the neutralization of nine Abu Sayyaf bandits and prevented suicide bombers from sneaking into Jolo.

Gonzales urged Batara and Patrimonio to continue the “whole of the nation” approach in defeating Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu to help bring stability and development in the province.