The 82nd Infantry (Bantay Laya) Battalion of the Philippine Army was redeployed to Barangay Nangka, Balamban, Cebu to intensify the campaign efforts against the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the area.

This, after the Central Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines requested the redeployment of 82IB back to the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) area of operation to augment in the clearing and dismantling of the remaining Guerilla Fronts (GF). Likewise, to address the gap and security vacuum, particularly in Cebu Island.

Bantay Laya Troopers arrived in Cebu by batches starting in early May and underwent a 14-day quarantine period.

They were formally welcomed through a ceremony graced by 3ID commander Major General Eric Vinoya yesterday.

The welcome ceremony also signaled the commencement of their refresher training course to accomplish its new mission effectively.

“With the additional number of soldiers to augment in Cebu and Siquijor, we assure the peace-loving people of these provinces that their Army in Central and Western Visayas will not stop its fight until they attain an NPA-free community,” said Vinoya.

82IB was previously based in Miag-ao, Iloilo. It was deployed to Mindanao as one of the follow-on forces to augment the fighting units of Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) during the Marawi Siege. They replaced the Bravo Company of 47IB in Cebu and Siquijor Islands as their new area of operations. Meanwhile, the latter was transferred to Bohol Island to fast-track the clearing and dismantling of (BPC) Komiteng Rehiyon Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR NCBS).

In addition, the 82IB was placed under the operational control of Task Group Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor to address the Internal and Security Operations and sustainment efforts in the aforementioned islands./WDJ