The more than 500-strong 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion of the Philippine Army departed Negros Oriental on Friday for a three-month Battalion of Excellence training in Nueva Ecija.
The contingent left on board a c-130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force from the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport after a send-off ceremony attended by provincial officials and other military officials.
Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, 79th IB commander, said the training is designed primarily to refurbish and improve the fighting capability of the 79th IB.
This means that the battalion’s “move, shoot and communicate” capabilities will be enhanced, to include the provision of more vehicles, firearms, radio communications equipment and the like, he added.
The 79th IB, which arrived in Negros Oriental in February 2008 from Bohol, will be replaced by the 20th IB.
The 79th IB is tentatively expected to return to Negros Oriental sometime in October. (PNA/JFP)
