The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command has deployed an Army battalion to Northern Mindanao amid the threat of communist rebels there. The 65th Infantry Battalion led by Ltc. Richard Rabaca was formally welcomed at the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the battalion would still have to undergo an orientation before deployment. With the additional battalion, there are now about 6,000 soldiers deployed in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga region.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 11, 2018 07:30 UTC