Tacurong City – The 104th
Infantry (Sultan) Brigade celebrated its 10th founding anniversary
last 29 of October, 2010 with its theme “104th Bde: Sampung taong
matapat na kaagapay ng Mamamayan sa kapayapaan” .
The history of 104th
brigade traces its humble beginning with the Task Force Sultan which was
activated on April 5, 2000 at Camp General Teodulfo S Bautista, BusBus , Jolo, Sulu in order to confront the threats in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces,
particularly the Abu Sayaff group.
The second quarter of 2000, the
brigade conducted a massive manhunt operations to rescue the kidnap victims
from Sipadan beach resort in Sabah, Malaysia whose victims were brought to its
lairs in Sulu.
104th brigade was also
tasked to provide security assistance to negotiators and media men in order to
ensure the safe release of hostages. ON October 26 October of 2000,the brigade was
activated in accordance with General orders # 1195 dated 25 of October 2000
issued by headquarters Philippine Army with the personnel and equipment of the
Task Force Sultan.
Col Romeo P. Tolentino, became
the first commander of the 104th brigade who would later become the
44th commanding General of the Philippine Army.
The brigade has the following
operation control units such as five infantry battalion, (4IB, 7IB, 59IB, and
one composite battalion, the first Scout Ranger Battalion, and eleven rifle
companies of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) integrees.
1104th brigade rescued 17 Sipadan
hostages, religious leader Wilde Almeda
and 11 members of his Jesus Miracle Crusade, two French journalists and three
Malaysian nationals that resulted to 129
enemy killed, 244 high power firearms were recovered and 161 active Abu Sayaff members
surrendered.
After more than seven years of
campaign against Abu Sayaff group, the brigade arrived in Maria Cristina
,Iligan City on January 29, 2008 to assume responsibility over the whole
province of Lanao del Norte as a result of the junking of the memorandum of
Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) by the Supreme Court.
The brigade was given a mission in
Lanao del Norte to conduct, hold and contain the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), neutralize the armed and political structure of Southeastern Command of
Mindanao party revolutionary committee, neutralize other lawless elements and
provide security assistance to vital government installations.
ON August 18, 2008, while observing the
primacy of peace process and peace talks and monitoring the MOA-AD, the MILF
102nd base command, NMF,BIAF terrorized and pillaged
the coastal municipalities of Kolambugan and kauswagan, both in Lanao
del Norte. This carnage threatened the security situation of the province and
caused the burning of civilian houses, several civilians helplessly killed and
taken hostages. The brigade was specifically tasked to destroy the lawless MILF
groups in Camp Bilal complex in Poona Piagapo and Munai.
The brigade saw action against
the 102nd BC of the MILF with a total of 33 encounters.
On November 23, 2009, the
political situation in the area of Maguindanao became tensed when a group of
political supporters together with media personalities travelled to Sharif
Aguak, Maguindanao to highlight the filing of candidacy of now governor elect
Toto Mangudadatu. The group was stopped and brought towards barangay Salman, Ampatuan,
Maguindanao were they were indiscrimately shot. A total of 57 people were killed.
This incident was later dubbed as the November 2009 Massacre.
On December 20, 2009, 104th
brigade arrived in the area after receiving its warning order on December 19, 2009.
On December 22, 2009, the main body of the brigade arrived and officially
assumed its new area of responsibility.
With the advent of 2010
elections, the brigade curved a plan to ensure honest and orderly election.
Sultan kudarat province election was generally peaceful while in Maguindanao, the
brigade experienced a rough sailing yet in the overall perspective it was a
very successful and peaceful election.
The said affair was attended by
commander of the first Infantry (Tabak) division, Major General Romeo D
Lustestica. Welcome remarks were delivered by Col Gerardo F Barrientos INF, the
deputy brigade commander. In his message, Barientos said the unit is rich in
tradition and valor, the brigade is powered by responsible and dedicated
soldiers in whose shoulder lies the responsibility of making a life difference
in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. “We will continue to fulfill our commitment
and dedication to serve, to protect, defend you and perform the mandate of our
pledge just so we can achieve an environment conducive for development”, Barrientos
said . LTC Juanito E Galindo GSC (INF),
the brigade Executive Officer also rendered his reading of the brigade history,
it was followed by awarding of deserving personnel by Lustestica and assisted by Col Mario A Mendoza, the commander of the 104th brigade.
Followed by the message and introduction of its guest of honor and speaker
General Lustestica .
Other guests in the said affair
were members of media from different places, local officials of the host city.
The program ended with a press
conference with General Lustestica
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