THE 27TH Infantry “Action” Battalion (IB) reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and development in its area of responsibility, particularly in Paquibato District, the former stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA), during its 55th founding anniversary celebration on Wednesday, Feb.12.
The event was held at the Tribolo Resort in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District.
With the theme “55 Years of Action: United Service, Cultivating Relationships, and Sustaining Peace for an Insurgency-Free Community,” the anniversary honored the battalion’s past achievements and looked forward to continued service.
Nine personnel were recognized for their outstanding performance, eight were promoted to the next higher rank (two Master Sergeants, two Staff Sergeants, two Sergeants, and two Corporals), and four retirees were honored for their service.
Major General Allan Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, served as the guest of honor and speaker.
“This is more than just a commemoration of our past; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to secure a stronger, safer future for residents, not only in this area of operation but also for our nation,” he said.
He praised the 27th IB’s adaptability, noting their shift from combat operations to sustainment and development missions.
“Our job now is much more difficult, much harder than the job we are used to. We are trained for warfighting; these are our core competencies. We are trained to fight. How we sustain our gains requires the support of different stakeholders. Without you, we cannot sustain the insurgency-free status of our region,” Hambala emphasized.
He stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, saying, “We must already be at the back, and you are at the front line. Then our job will just be to assist you in providing the services that our brothers and sisters have not felt.”
Angel Sumagaysay, head of the City Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), read a message from Mayor Sebastian Duterte, congratulating the 27th IB and the 10th Infantry Division on their anniversary.
“Today’s celebration validates your years of hard work and dedication in ensuring peace and order are attained and maintained in our communities.
It delivers a message of unwavering courage and serious commitment to your oath to serve and protect the Filipino people,” the mayor’s message stated. It also commended the awardees for their exemplary performance and recognized the stakeholders’ contributions to the battalion’s successes.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the 10th Infantry Division and the 27th IB in maintaining an insurgency-free province and region. “We know this is a big thing. We have become peaceful in our region and our province because peace and order are major requirements for development. If our situation is chaotic, no investors will simply invest in our region. If there are no investors, we cannot provide employment to our constituents,” Jubahib explained.
Sta. Cruz Mayor Nelson Tata Sala pledged his full support to the soldiers and announced he would add a monetary prize to the awards given to personnel.
Colonel Franklin Garcia, commander of the 27th IB, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the battalion’s 55 years of dedication, service, and sacrifice. “We reflect on the legacy of the 27th Infantry Battalion, five and a half decades of resilience and achievement,” he said.
He acknowledged the support of higher headquarters, government, partners, and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of their trust and cooperation. “Above all, I extend my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the 27th Infantry Battalion, past and present. You are the backbone of this unit,” Garcia stated.
During the celebration, security counterparts, local government leaders, and civilian stakeholders including this writer, received a plaque of recognition. The award acknowledges the support provided to the 27th IB in achieving its mission.
An audio-visual presentation detailed the 27th IB’s history, from its activation in 1950 to its involvement in various campaigns and its eventual role in dismantling the NPA’s Guerilla Front 55 in 2021.
The presentation highlighted the battalion’s contributions to peace and security in the region, including its shift to peace, law enforcement, and development support operations.
The 27th IB currently covers 132 barangays across Davao City, Panabo City, and Carmen, Davao del Norte. The battalion continues to work in partnership with various stakeholders to sustain peace and development in its area of operations.
