While most of the units have animals or other symbols for their unit seal, the 11IB chose a man. Lapu-Lapu – Considered as the first Filipino hero, famously known for vanquishing foreign conquistador Ferdinand Magellan and his army in their attempt for colonization, seen by his enemies not just as a courageous and a good tactician, but as a principled man as well. His reputation precedes him, weav
ing history and myth into the fabric of modern Filipino culture. The SHIELD symbolizes the battalion’s commitment and dedication, defending the nation against lawless elements. The NUMERICAL 11, located in the shield's upper part, stands for the unit’s numerical designation. The BLUE COLOR stands for peace, which the unit fights amidst the war waging the state's enemies. The YELLOW COLOR represents friendship and reconciliation, which the battalion offers to dissidents who wish to return to the folds of the law. The WHITE COLOR symbolizes purity and sincerity in working hand-in-hand with the people as partners for peace and progress. The RED COLOR represents the gallantry to the men-in-uniform in defending our country against subversive elements and stands for their bravery in facing any threat to national security. The 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion traced its humble beginning in 1970. When the 41st Battalion Combat Team changed into the 21st Battalion Combat Team, reorganized along with Light Armor Infantry Concept, and renamed 1st Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. Pursuant to General Orders Number 42, Headquarters 3rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army dated 15 December 1971, the unit re-designated as 11th Infantry Battalion effective 26 November 1971 under LIEUTENANT COLONEL FRANCISCO M ESMAS as the first battalion commander of the unit where the Muslim secessionists called Barracudas (Muslim Fighter Commandos) were the first enemy encountered in Lanao del Norte. After a successful stint in Lanao Del Norte, the unit was pulled out in Mindanao and brought to Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City, for retraining. In the middle of 1972, 11IB was sent back to Mindanao with its base in Zamboanga City. The unit was operationally attached to the Southwest Command (SOWESCOM) with the Zamboanga Provinces, Basilan, and Sulu as its operational area. On October 1972, the unit proceeded in Sulu and temporarily encamped in Camp Asturias but later established its Command Post in Patikul, Sulu. The unit suffered many casualties due to the enemy’s treacherous way of fighting. As a result, the whole unit of the 11th Infantry Battalion was again sent back to Cebu City on 08 December 1973. The unit proceeded to Pinangamuhan, Cebu, for much-needed rest and retraining on the Kamagong and Molave Warfare Concept. Then on, the unit hurdled the mountains and plains of the Visayas and Mindanao and became famous during the “Operation Tanuel” under Central Mindanao Command on June 1974 in Maguindanao. Operationally controlled by Task Force Pagkakaisa in May 1974 covering North and South Cotabato, where the unit accomplished significantly as an infantry unit and was awarded the Central Mindanao Commander’s Streamer Award pursuant to General Orders Number 73, Headquarters CEMCOM, AFP dated 14 January 1975. The Recovery of Balabagan in September 1976 in Lanao del Sur. Operationally controlled unit by TASK FORCE VERBINA in May 1982 in Camarines Sur, and TASK FORCE SUGARLAND on 19 June 1985 in Negros. After a few months of combating the CPP/NPA/NDF insurgents in Central Negros, higher headquarters recognized the unit’s achievements by awarding the most coveted Chief of Staff Armed Forces Streamer Award pursuant to General Orders Number 15, General Headquarters, AFP dated 18 March 1988 by GEN ARTURO ENRILE the AFP Chief of Staff, received then by COLONEL JULIUS JAVIER, Commanding Officer of the unit. After a successful counter-insurgency campaign in Central Negros, the battalion moved to Northern Negros to combat the area's growing insurgency. In 1991, under Major Alphonsus Crucero the unit scored heavily against the rebels, and several top Communist Leaders were captured. As a result of its good performance, the unit was directed by higher headquarters to extend its area of operation up to Central Negros in July 1991, fighting two enemy fronts at the same time.
1992 had been a good year for the unit. The 11IB then operates with three rifle companies: Alpha Company under LIEUTENANT CIRILITO E SOBEJANA, Bravo Company under LIEUTENANT ERNEST MARK P ROSAL, and Charlie Company under LIEUTENANT ROBERTO T ANCAN, and one Provisional Company under LIEUTENANT NELSON TRUJILLO. The unit scored highly in intelligence, combat, and civil-military operations. The CPP/NPA guerillas were on the run. The unit was able to reduce the enemy’s organizing capability and its armed strength considerably. In recognition of this achievement, the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army chose the 11th Infantry Battalion as its “Best Combat Unit.” The unit placed 4th among the 72 Infantry Battalions in the entire Philippine Army. After reaping outstanding accomplishments for the unit, LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALPHONSUS P CRUCERO turned over the battalion's stewardship to MAJOR VICTOR S IBRADO. In April 1995, the battalion moved to Central Mindanao in Cotabato, also covering the province of Sultan Kudarat and parts of Maguindanao. The year 1997 was also a productive year for 11IB. However, most of the unit's efforts were utilized in the conduct of small unit patrols, security on government development projects, and CMO activities because of the extended peace negotiations between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) and the government. The unit was also utilized in the anti-kidnapping operations as the task was turned-over from PNP to AFP. The unit actively participated in this endeavor under Task Force Tugis of 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. The conduct of unit operations and Civic Action activities resulted in a good working relationship with the residents and the surrender of fifteen (15) M**F rebels at the battalion headquarters on 07 April 1997, bringing along with them twelve (12) assorted high powered fi****ms. On 25 January 1999, the unit participated in a Division-wide operation against the M**F. The unit conducted a daring frontal attack against the enemy that heavily entrenched on Perez Range and captured Camp Afgan, a satellite camp of Camp Omar, and the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F)
30 August 1999, the battalion was moved from Cotabato, Mindanao to Panay Island in Banga, Aklan, due to the Visayas' growing insurgency problems. In September 2001, the battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Samarita was ordered to consolidate force for deployment to Basilan. Operationally controlled by the 104th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, the unit was tasked to participate in combat and rescue operations against the ABU SAYAFF GROUP, who was holding 11 hostages. The two (2) month-long brigade-wide operation resulted in several encounters and the safe rescue of eight (8) hostages. November 2001, redeployed at Jolo, Sulu, and tasked to participate in the operation against the Misuari Renegade Group (MRG). In January 2002, the unit pulled-out at Jolo, Sulu, and was redeployed back in Negros Island, covering parts of Central Negros Occidental as its main Area of Operation.
29 November 2006, the unit scored heavily against the local communist terrorists when they were able to monitor the plan to transport several rebels using a blue Toyota Canter Truck in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. Using the information gathered and effective conduct of a combat operation, this resulted in the successful neutralization of five (5) rebels and recovery of five (5) high powered fi****ms and 19 backpacks containing subversive documents and personal belongings. Then on, the unit was able to maintain high-level standards as an Infantry Battalion and was awarded as the Best Battalion of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division Philippine Army in 2013 and 2014, received then by LIEUTENANT COLONEL PAULITO IDUL, Commanding Officer of the unit. After the unit’s long hiatus of confronting Muslim Separatist Groups in the late 2000s, the unit was reverted back to Mindanao last 14 August 2016 under the leadership of LIEUTENANT COLONEL EUGENE A BADUA as the commanding officer. The battalion was placed operationally controlled to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) and Joint Task Force Zamboanga (JTFZ) with a specific mandate of protecting the people and securing the 54 barangays mostly located on the west coast of Zamboanga City. The unit was able to accomplish zero bombings and zero kidnappings in Zamboanga City. After almost three years of being OPCON to Joint Task Force Zamboanga and Western Mindanao Command, the unit was reverted back under JTF SPEAR Control effective 05 June 2019. Redeployed to Negros Island covering 2nd and 3rd District of Negros Oriental to help quell the Communists NPA Terrorists (C**s) efforts and influence along with focused areas
