104th Infantry Brigade (Philippines)
104th Infantry Brigade | |
---|---|
Active | October 26, 2000 - Present |
Country | Philippines |
Branch | Philippine Army |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Conventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations |
Size | 2 to 4 maneuver Battalions. |
Part of | Under the 1st Infantry Division |
Garrison/HQ | Barangay Maria Cristina, Iligan City |
Nickname(s) | Sultan Brigade |
Motto(s) | The just ... the brave |
Anniversaries | October 26 |
Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col Benito T. de Leon |
Notable commanders | BGen Romeo Tolentino BGen Nehemias Pajarito |
Insignia | |
Unit Patch | same as emblem above |
The 104th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Sultan Brigade, is one of the brigades of the Philippine Army which is organic to its 1st Infantry Division. It is an infantry unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare.
History
The 104th Infantry Brigade was originally the Task Force “Sultan” activated on 05 April 2000 at Camp General Teodolfo Bautista, Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu to confront the threat posed by the terrorist Abu Sayaff group in Sulu and Tawi-tawi Provinces. The Task Force was eventually reconstituted on 26 October 2000 and renamed as the 104th Infantry “Sultan” Brigade under the 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army pursuant to Section II, General Order Number 1195 of Headquarters Philippine Army dated 25 October 2000. The task was for the brigade to confront the Abu Sayyaf group which was engaged in kidnap for ransom activities. It stayed in the area until January 2008 when it was given a new area—Lanao del Norte primarily to help contain the MILF group in the province.
Mission
The 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade conducts Internal Security Operations (ISO) in the assigned area of responsibility (AOR) of the 1st Infantry Division in Western Mindanao to dismantle and destroy the remaining guerilla fronts of the Local Communist Movement (LCM), hold and contain the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group in order to attain peace and stability conducive to sustainable development in assisting the Philippine government in its socio-economic development projects; and assists the Philippine National Police curb criminalities in the area.
Lineage of Commanding Officers
- BGen Romeo P Tolentino AFP (05 April 2000 - 21 September 2002)
- BGen Alexander D Aleo AFP (21 September 2002 - 22 July 2003)
- BGen Alexander U Yapching AFP (22 July 2003 - 28 March 2004)
- BGen Nehemias G Pajarito AFP (28 March 2004 - 25 April 2006)
- BGen Reynaldo D Sealana AFP (25 April 2006 - 10 January 2007)
- BGen Antonio I Supnet AFP (10 January 2007 - 09 September 2008)
- Col Benito T de Leon PA (09 September 2008 – present)
Units
The following are the Infantry Battalion units that are presently placed under operational control of the the 104th Infantry Brigade.
- 10th Infantry (Steady…On) Battalion
- 32nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion
- 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion
- 43rd Infantry (We Search) Battalion
Operations
- Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). After a peace agreement was concluded between Philippine and MNLF officials, the brigade fought against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
- Anti-terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
- Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines.
Trivia
- BGen Romeo P Tolentino AFP rose to become the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and retiring in that position with the rank of a Lieutenant General.
- BGen Nehemias G Pajarito AFP was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Star during his tenure as the Commander of 104th Infantry Brigade for his gallantry in action in leading his unit against the Abu Sayaff. A rare occasion for a brigade commander to lead the troops in the front line and be awarded for such feat. He eventually commanded the 1st Infantry Division until his retirement holding a rank of a Major General.