PHL Army activates Aviation Regiment, Air Defense and Missile units

With the aim to intensify defense against present, emerging and future threats, the Philippine Army on Thursday activated its Aviation Regiment, the 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) and the 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, chief of the Army, led the activation and the assumption of command of the three units.

Lieutenant General Macaraig Alberto leads the defense units' activation on October 3, 2019. Photos: Philippine Army

The Army underscored that the units will play an important role it the fight against terrorism as well as communist insurgency.

"We put primacy on the activation of these units in order to continuously enhance our aviation and air defense capability as we operate with the intent to be a modern and well-equipped Army, to address fast-evolving threats and finish the insurgency at the soonest possible time," Alberto said.

The Army said the activation of the Aviation Regiment is in line with the Army's development of air defense and missile units.

On the other hand, the activation of the 2MLRS Btry and the 1LBMS Btry will help augment the government forces' firepower in large-scale armed confrontation, the Army added.

Meanwhile, Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said the units will also help in fighting external threats.

He further said the Army is in the process of planning to acquire assets for the said units.

"As far as the vision of the Army leadership is magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong capabilities... in order for us na magkaroon ng ganitong capabilities, let's create the units already," Zagala said.

"We can use it towards any threat... These units that we're creating is actually in support for the air-land battle doctrine," he added. — BM, GMA News