Army commandos from Leyte now in Central Mindanao

COTABATO CITY-- An Army commando from Leyte arrived in Maguindanao to replace the 45th Infantry Battalion based in Shariff Aguak town, ndbcnews.com.ph learned Sunday.The 400-strong 19th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division, led by Colonel Roberto Sarmiento, has arrived ready for deployment any day now.Composed of Army commandos, the 19th IB will be initially stationed in Shariff Aguak while the 45th IB will be sent to Central Luzon.It mission is to help the 6th ID in its mission of maintaining peace and security in the division arera of operation which covers the provinces of North Cotabato, part of Sultan Kudarat and Maguidanao.According to Sarmiento, his unit is bringing along a contingent with knowledge, skills and training in combat and noncombat operations.It will be utilized in the peace and development program of the 6th ID which has the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), New Peoples Army (NPA),extortionists and other lawless elements as its primary target.The 19th IB left Sunday the 8th ID area of operation via the DZR Airport in Tacloban City on board Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane.