MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday activated a new military division in Jolo, Sulu following his remark that he would want to stop the attacks and killings being perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the area. Duterte led the activation of the 11th Infantry (Alakdan) Division in Jolo, Sulu at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista headquarters. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and presidential adviser for military affairs Arthur Tabaquero joined the President during the activation. In November, the chief executive said he would deploy an entire military division to Jolo, a known hotbed of terrorists, to help secure peace and order in the region. The activation of the 11th Infantry Division came days after Congress approved the President’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 2019.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 18, 2018 10:41 UTC