THE Philippine Army has activated over the weekend its 1st Brigade Combat Team (1st BCT) that would serve as the military’s primary defense force against territorial threats.
The activation of the rapid deployment unit was made on Saturday at the new compound of the Special Operations Command (Socom) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, Army Commanding General.
The creation of the special unit was a result of the Army’s idea to develop a strategic territorial defense concept in 2016, whose aim was to establish a compact, responsive and modern force that is capable of engaging in conventional and unconventional warfare and even nontraditional threats.
“The 1st BCT will be the Army’s rapid deployable unit with the right force-mix to any area of strategic significance,” said Army Spokesman Col. Louie Villanueva.
According to Villanueva, it shall consist of maneuver components, which includes three battalions—two infantry and one mechanized, maneuver support consisting of “specialized enablers” such as field artillery and engineer combat battalions, reconnaissance company, and units from signal, intelligence, civil-military operations, military police, explosive ordnance, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and sustainment components composed of a forward service support unit and a forward medical platoon.
He added the BCT is a contingency force that could provide operational flexibility and will be the Unified Command’s decisive force in times of crisis or armed conflict situations.
“The establishment of [the] BCT is geared toward capacitating the Army into a joint, combined arms force capable of addressing various threats and challenges across the Army’s range of operations,” Villanueva said. “With its given characteristics as a mix-force, it can be employed in various situation both in peacetime or wartime.”
The 1st BCT is commanded by Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Imbang Jr. and it is attached with the 7th Infantry Division.
The unit is also set to be placed under Tactical Control of Training and Doctrine Command for consolidation and organizational training.
The 1st BCT is set to train with US forces in the upcoming Salaknib and Balikatan military exercises in order to further develop its capability in terms of conducting combined arms operations and in preparation for its future employment.
“Let us always be reminded that we are duty bound to secure our country’s sovereignty and the integrity of our national territory,” Alberto said. “Our ancestors had sacrifices their precious lives and we are now duty bound to sustain it and be the best exemplars of public service to meet the aspirations and expectations of the Filipino.”
“I know there will be challenges but I am very confident that this is the most perfect force-mix of combined arms in pursuit of our organizational transformation for us to be more relevant, effective and efficient formidable fighting force,” he added.