50th Infantry (Defender of Democracy) Battalion, 5th Infantry (Star) Division, Philippine Army
50TH INFANTRY (DEFENDER) BATTALION
UNIT HISTORY
The 50th Infantry (Defender of Democracy) Battalion traces its roots three decades ago when it was activated and constituted on July 12, 1984 at Camp General Servillano Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac, then under its first Commanding Officer, LIEUTENANT COLON
EL FERNANDO Z FRANCISCO 0-5811 (INF) PA. Upon its activation, the 50IB troops underwent various trainings and exercises to test the battalion’s command and operational capabilities which were then followed by several trainings to upgrade the battalion’s and individual personnel’s competency to adopt themselves in the prevailing situation on counterinsurgency. On October 1984, the battalion headquarters moved from Tarlac to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte taking the northern municipalities of Ilocos Norte, Northwestern municipalities of Cagayan and Calanasan of Kalinga-Apayao as its area of operation. Due to an alarming increase in the violent activities of the communist terrorists in northwestern Cagayan and Apayao regions in the late 1980’s, the national government created the Marag Valley Campaign to eradicate the insurgency in the area. The battalion became instrumental in the capture of Marag from the communists although it suffered considerable casualties in the campaign. Through its combat prowess, the battalion seized, control and successfully regained the peace and order in what they called “Valley of Dreams”, the Marag Valley. These resulted to the expansion of its area of operation and moved its base in Ballesteros in March 1999 and in Claveria of Cagayan province in March and November 1999 respectively. For a period of ten years of stay in Cagayan and Apayao provinces, the battalion had successfully neutralized the rising insurgency concerns in the globally infamous Marag Valley in Luna, Apayao which was considered as the first National Battalion of the insurgents under the under the umbrella of CPP/NDF in the area. The battalion had captured a considerable number of rebels and facilitated the voluntary surrender of many others. Huge number of high-powered firearms, vital terrorist’s equipment and significant subversive documents were captured. In order to address the insurgency concerns in other areas, the battalion relinquished its Internal Security Operation responsibility over Cagayan and Apayao provinces to the 41st Infantry Battalion and extended its security jurisdiction over the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur and La Union. This was followed by moving its base to different strategic locations to optimize command and control directly in control of the security situation in the area. The 50IB likewise secured Abra during the May 2013 1st automated national and local elections when the province was declared election hotspot by the national government due to reported proliferation of private armed groups owned by political warlords. The battalion received the most coveted Best Battalion for CY 2002 due to its accomplishments. It was also adjudged Best Battalion for triad operations and bags the Best Enlisted Personnel of the year 2002. It was in 2005 when the battalion captured the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee of the communist terrorists’ main camp in Abra-Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur complex with an estimated 5-hectare land area capturing considerable enemy vital equipment and significant subversive documents. Due to its colorful and major accomplishments in the field of combat and administration, the whole battalion was directed to undergo Battalion of Excellence at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, in February 2012, participated the Joint RP-US BALIKATAN Exercises to share and adopt the Philippine Army and US tactics. It later underwent the Peacekeeping Operations Training and deployed as members of the United Nations Disengagement Operation Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights, a strategic mountain complex contested by Israel and Syria for thirteen months. Those achievements earned by the men and women of 50IB gave pride not only to the battalion but also to the whole Philippine Army as well not only in the Philippines but also in world arena. It was in a remarkable period of the battalion vibrant history but also paid the ultimate sacrifice of losing several soldiers for the sake of peace and tranquility in northern Luzon to answer the call of duty, and its mission to uproot and suppress the fast growing insurgency concerns in that art of this land. Numerous challenges, hardship and sacrifices encountered by the gallant men and women of the battalion for the Filipino people. Nevertheless, deserving and extraordinary courageous men and women of the battalion who have exemplified in the performance of their respective tasks are duly recognized through various promotions, awards, decorations, and rewards. After helping stabilize the security situations of Israel and Syria, the battalion established its base at a 5-hectare land area given by the DENR in Brgy Remedios, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur in February 2014. So far, it installed a 6-feet high Our Lady of Lourdes donated by the parishioners of the Holy Child of Prague Parish of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur in a 9 by 8 feet grotto built by the officers, men and women of the battalion inside the 50IB camp premises about 150 meters away fronting Bessang Pass Shrine.
* TEAM DEFENDER TODAY! The 50th Infantry Battalion is led by its 27th Commander, LTC GULLIVER L SENIRES INF (GSC) PA, from 02 September 2015 until today. The unit is stationed at Sitio Kapanikian, Brgy Camalog, Pinukpuk, Kalinga and performs "Defense Support and Security" operations in the province. Among the significant accomplishments of the unit were the capture of NPA Marcos Anggalao of KLG Baggas at Brgy Gawaan, Balbalan, Kalinga on 100510H September 2016, Abra Most-Wanted-Person Edwin Balaoag at Brgy Dugpa, Pinukpuk, Kalinga on 272355H June 2016, and Rodrigo "Condaya" Baguilolay at Brgy Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga on 250730H March 2017; effected the voluntary surrender of 13 NPA regualars, 24 milisyang bayan, and 56 mass supporters; recovered 12 HPFAs and 17 LPFAs; seized 18 NPA camps and 2 logistics cache; neutralized Rudy Miguel /DEK/ALAY in an encounter in Balbalasang, Balbalan, Kalinga on 131130H May 2017. The unit gained prominence when the Soldiers saved a total of 145 civilians during the onslaught of Typhoon Lando in October 2015 and Super Typhoon Lawin in October 2016. The unit has been awarded a Plaque of Recognition by the Northern Luzon Command on 29 April 2017 for being the "Best Unit under NOLCOM". Team Defender continues to show its mettle in the AFP's campaign in Kalinga
