The 34th Infantry Battalion was
activated on February 1974 the nucleus of its personnel
and equipment drawn from the first Infantry Division,
Philippine Army. MGEN MANUEL V CACANANDO (RET), then a
LTC BECAME the first Battalion Commander when he assumed
command of the unit on 20 May 1974. the unit initially
had a total strength of the thirty four (34) Officers,
one hundred forty two (142) enlisted personnel and four
hundred twenty (420) trainees, which underwent four (4)
months rigid Molave Warfare Training.
A few months later, on 020300 October 1974, the
troops left Fort Magsaysay and arrived at their first
designation on 08 October 1974 in
Lamitan, Basilan where they relieved in placed
the 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army. The battalion had
its baptism of fire when bravo company stationed at
Campo Tres was harassed and subjected to automatic fire
by undetermined number of enemy.
Following the methodology of the Campaign set by
the AFP, the 34th carried a two (2) fold
strategy of right hand and left hand effort thru massive
combat operations and civil assistance operations. This
proved to be very effective because in just period on
one (1) year the whole municipality of Lamitan was
rehabilitated. A total of approximately 256 kilometers
of agricultural land was likewise reclaimed from the
hands of the rebels/terrorists: barrio Lahi-lahi,
Singkapan, Tablas, Bato-bato, Buton and Dugaa were
liberated from the terrorists. Barangays schools were
reopened and temporary
school buildings were constructed and regular transports
were restored.
Grateful appreciation of these accomplishments,
the provincial board of Basilan passed as resolution
commending the officers and men of 34th
Infantry Battalion for a job well done in the
pacification campaign.
Pursuant to section III General Orders Number 138
H8ID dated 01 February 1976 LTC ALBERTO LUCERO (INF) PA
(now deceased) was designated Commanding Officer in
acting capacity until 01 May of Officer of the unit. The
assumption of the Command of LTC LUCERO carried with it
the extension of the area of responsibility of the unit
which included the whole town of Tuburan covering a
total land area of 265 square kilometers. LTC LUCERO
organized a Reinforced Composite company to clear
suspected enemy positions in some critical area of the
AOR.
In the succeeding months of Cease Fire
accord from February to November 1976, the unit
busied itself in civic action with the end view of winning the hearts and mind of the people and
instill thrust and confidence of the citizenry to the
duly constituted government in Basilan frequent
dialogues with the people were held and Medical and
Dental Aids were extended evacuees were rehabilitated
and people were encouraged to increase their food
production in coordination with the department of
education, culture
and sports and civic minded citizens in the area, the
unit succeeded in the reopening g of the classes to ten
(10) schools erstwhile critical area for the school year
1976-77 in the Municipality of Lamitan. The Battalion
was accredited with the
construction of infrastructure project during the
initial stage of the regular operation of the
Municipality of Lamitan.
On 15 November 1976 its successful two years and
one month
peace campaign in Basilan the move to Jolo for major
operations with units of 3/1 Bde, 1ID, PA though a
number of Officers and men have been reassigned or
terminated, “Sprit the Corps” of the Battalion under
the leadership of LTC LUCERO had been well maintain
arriving Jolo wharf aboard LST 95, the troops were
welcomed by COL ANGEL KANAPI (now retired Brigadier
General), 3/1 Brigade Commander and his staff together
with high ranking Officials of the province of Sulu. The
Battalion immediately proceeded to Brgy Tugas, Patikul,
Sulu. On 17 November 1976 the Battalion received OPLAN
“KRIS” of the Brigade which subsequently signaled
the conduct of combat operations. Initial encounter of
the Battalion was at vicinity Kandiamak where one (1)
rebel was killed and one (1) M16 with M203 was captured
by the troops on 28 November 1976. The fiercest
encounter of the 34th Infantry Battalion
against the terroristic was fought at Luba Hill an
estimated 70-80 terrorists perished due to superior
tactics and bravery shown by the member of the unit.
On 07 December 1976, the 34th Infantry
Battalion relieved in place the 3rd Infantry
Battalion at Taglabi, Patikul, Sulu. Taglibi became the
unit station from 07 December 1976 to 19 March 1978.
With the cessation of hostilities by terrorists against
government troops from 20 January 1977 to 09 October
1977, the unit confined it self in civic action, in
coordination with provincial and national agencies,
bringing the government closer to the hearts of the
people of Patikul and particularly at Taglibi where the
bulk of evacuees were concentrated.
From 01 November 1977 to March 1978, 34th
Infantry Battalion figured in 27 intensive encounter
against the enemy at vicinity Luba Hill, Bakung and
Kaunayan complex all of Patikul, Sulu resulting to 45
KIA and WIA on the enemy side.
On 19 March 1978 after one year and four months
in Jolo the unit moved to Basilan to rejoin 2/1 Brigade.
On its way to its former AOR (Lamitan, Basilan) via
Tongkil, Sulu it met stiff resistance at Baguindan,
Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. There it fought against enemy in a
fierce gun battle the lasted for three (3) days, from
28-30 March 1978. Inflicting heavy casualty on the enemy
side. Then in May 1978, the unit spearheaded other
Battalions of 2/1 for the successful rescue of the fifty
three (53) passengers of the ill-fated M/V Don Carlos
who were made hostages by terrorists at Taburan, Basilan.
On 21 July 1978, the 34th Infantry
Battalion was transferred to Isabela with the
Municipalities of Maluso and Lantawan all of
Basilan province as its area of responsibility. It
tremendously involved itself in various community
projects like construction of school houses, feeder
roads, improvement of water system and housing units
which were all aimed at alleviating the living condition
of the masses it also conducted civic actions on Medical
and Dental services on land reform, the unit made
representation with the “PACLAP” and the
Bureau of lands for the release of land titles to
a number of settlers at barrio Calvario, Isabela. It
also participated with other units of 2/1 Brigade in
clearing operations in the en tire province.
On 17 November 1978, the unit after eight (8)
months of successful Campaign in Basilan was directed to
move again to Jolo. Before proceeding to its new AOR,
However, it conducted police operations at the
municipalities of Indanan, Parang and Talipao all of
Sulu Province.
On 01 March 1980, 34th Infantry
Battalion was relieved from 1st Infantry
Division, Philippine Army and reassigned to 5th
Infantry Brigade (SEPARATE) PA, for a period of almost
eight (8) months, the battalion conducted a series of
offensive operations augmenting other neighboring units
in restoring peace and order.
The Officer and Men of the unit stayed in
Mindanao for six (6) years and twenty eight (28) days.
Indeed, it was
a costly campaign because during the period, one hundred
fifty one (151) precious lives were lost, three hundred
eighty five (385) were
wounded and five (5) were declared missing in
action.
On 16 November 1980, this unit was transferred
back to Luzon and was accorded a hero’s welcome the
awarding of medals and decorations to deserving
personnel highlight the welcome ceremony.
On 26 February 1981, COL LUCERO was relieved and
LTC DE LEON was designated as Commanding Officer of the
unit. On that same day the Battalion left Sangley Point
for Dolores, Eastern Samar relieving in placed the 52nd
PC Battalion. The 34th Infantry Battalion was
still in Dolores when MAJ EDMUND PACADA was designated
as Acting Commanding Officer relieving LT COL DE LEON.
After one (1) month, MAJ PACADA was relieved by COL
LUCERO and his return to the unit proved to be
productive both in combat and civic activities. But due
to his lingering illness, COL LUCERO died on September
16, 1985 and was succeeded by LT COL ROLANDO S PESTAÑO.
On 18 December 1986, the unit established its
Battalion Headquarters in Borongan, Eastern Samar
relieving in place the 2/8 Infantry Brigade (SEPARATE),
PA. The unit under COL PERASTAÑO incurred minimal
losses but inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.
On 11 May 1988, LT COL PESTAÑO was relieved as
Commanding Officer and subsequently succeeded
by LT COL ALEXIS ALDEGUER. After the turn over of
Command the Headquarters was transferred from Borongan
to Lokilokon, Wright, Samar relieving in place 14IB, 8th
Infantry Brigade (SEPARATE), PA. On 07 July 1988. LT COL
ERNESTO MAGPANTAY took over the Command
vice LT ALDEGUER.
On 13 September 1988, after almost eight (8)
years and three months of successful insurgency campaign
in the Province of Samar and Eastern Samar, 34th
Infantry Battalion left for Leyte Island. The unit was
placed under the Operational Control (OPCON) of 803rd
Infantry Brigade and established its temporary Hqs at
Anahawan, Southern Leyte on September 1988. On 09
January 1989, the Battalion acted as a mobile force and
moved its Headquarters to Malinao, Mahaplag, Leyte then
to Brgy Patong, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte on 06 May
1989.
On 28 July 1989, after eleven (11) months in the
provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, 34th
Infantry Battalion was redeployed to Samar island and
placed under the operational control (OPCON) of 802nd
Infantry Brigade. After one (1) week sojourn at
Headquarters 802nd Infantry Brigade. The
Battalion moved to Eastern Samar and established its
Headquarters at Brgy Buenavista, Quinapondan, Eastern
Samar. Two (2) months and one (1) week later on 15 Oct
1989, the Battalion excluding one (1) rifle Company was
redeployed in San Jose de Buan and hinter barangays of
Paranas, Motiong and Jiabong all of Western Samar, due
to noted RGU concentration in the Tri boundaries of
Western Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar
provinces. The Battalion was injected deep into the
enemy guerilla base with its Headquarters located in
Brgy Caranas, Motiong, Samar.
On 03 November 1989, LT COL MAGPANTAY was
replaced by LT FELINO N TRISTE.
On 21 December 1989, the unit established its
Battalion in Calapi, Motiong, Samar. While in Brgy
Calapi, the unit received a resolution of appreciation
from the Municipality of Motiong, Samar in recognition
for its invaluable accomplishments in civic action and
the restoration of peace and order in the area.
On 01 May 1991, LT COL TRISTE was relieved and
subsequently, LT COL ADOLFO E PANTE was designated as
Acting Commanding Officer of the unit.
On 08 august 1991, the Battalion moved its
Headquarters by foot from Brgy Calapi, Motiong, Samar to
Brgy Trinidad, Calbayog City relieving in place 62nd
Infantry Battalion and took responsibility of the
latter’s AOR composed of the City of Calbayog.
And six (6) municipalities namely: Tarangnan,
Pagsanjan, San Jorge, Gandara, Sta Margarita and
Matuguinao with a total of three hundred sixty-six (366)
Barangays.
Following the changes of AOR, the unit has
embarked on a massive combat/learning operations in its
new AOR as a prelude to the intensification of SOT
operations as envisioned in AFP Campaign Plan “LAMBAT
BITAG”. The said combat operation have resulted to the
neutralization of nine (9) regular CT’s, six (60 of
whom were KIA and the other three (3) were captured, and
the recovery of eight (8) HPFAs and six (6) LPFAs.
The unit launched a series of SOT operations
targeting all affected Barangays in the AOR. By the
middle of 1992, the unit was able to de-influenced
thirty (30) affected Barangays in the AOR which
accounted for a total of two thousand seven hundred
forty nine (2,749) CPP/NPA regulars, Subversive Mass
Activist (SMA) and supporters/sympathizers voluntarily
returning to the folds of the law. The conduct of the
said SOT operations also necessitated the implementation
of various CMO projects as complementary activities. The
remarkable accomplishment of the unit in Counter
Insurgency Operations (COIN) was cited by various
municipalities in the AOR most notably the City of
Calbayog and the Municipality of Matuguinao where most
of the surrenderees came from.
Due to continuous conduct of SOT operations and
sustained implementation of CMO projects in the AOR, the
following year, the unit was again able to neutralize
seventy five (75) regular TDs, sixteen (16) of whom were
KIA and the rest were surrenderees, recovered seventeen
(17) HPFAs including various communications equipment,
medicine and voluminous subversive documents of high
intelligence value.
To earn the trust and confidence of the people in
the new AOR, the unit launched a fitting campaign the
Araw-araw Kaibigan “Campaign” with the end result of
befriending people in the AOR including those who tried
to destroy the image of the unit right after its
deployment in the AOR. Much of the accomplishments of
the unit could be attributed to this campaign and it was
a major accomplishments which earned for the unit the
award of 8ID’s Best Battalion in CMO in 1993.
In June 1993, LT COL ADOLFO E PANTE was relieved
as Commanding Officer of 34IB, 8ID, and replaced by COL
ANTONIO C SANTOS JR GSC (INF) PA Pursuant to Sec II, GO
Nr 158 H8ID, PA dated 19 June 1993.
The scheduled turn-over of COIN functions from
DND-AFP to DILG-PNP in 1997 as envisioned by Executive
Order 216 brought considerable pressure on the Battalion
to fast track its Counter Insurgency Campaign (COIN).
With COL SANTOS JR at the helm, the unit aggressively
pursued its intensified campaign of flushing out
remaining TDs and their mass bases in the AOR following
the quadratic concept involving intelligence, combat CMO
and internal security operations in order to reduce its
internal security condition to a level conducive to PNP
take over.
For its well orchestrated operations, the unit
was able to de-influence the remaining twenty-three (23)
affected Barangays in the AOR, neutralize two thousand
two hundred thirty-six (2,236), regular TDs, mass
activist/supporters/sympathizers which resulted in the
recovery of nine (9) HPFA’s including several
equipments and voluminous subversive documents with high
intelligence value. In support to the governments
campaign on loose FA’s as implemented by “OPLAN
PAGLALANSAG”, the unit was able to recover twenty-five
(25) loose FA’s issued to vigilante group sometime in
early eighties (80’s). Complementing the unit’s
efforts to combat operations were the numerous
intelligence and CMO operations launched which resulted
to major accomplishments, among others, the capture of
three (3) members of a robbery gang with one (1) M16
rifle, the neutralization of three (3) members of
hold-up gang and the recovery of their loot amounting to
four thousand pesos (4,000.00) and other valuables,
identification of personalities of illegal loggers, the
solution of the case in the killing of one (1) Venus
Lacaba of Gandar, Samar, the arrest of a robber with his
loot in the amount of fifty thousand pesos (50,000.00)
and two (2) suspects for kidnapping and murder and the
neutralization of seventy nine (79) NPA regulars thru
negotiations.
To maintain a high state of readiness among
personnel, the unit regularly conducts various training
and seminars which include among others, the following:
Basic Intel Collection Seminar Refresher Course, CAA
Basic Military Training, Basic Tradecraft Seminar,
Capability Building Seminar, Preventive Driving and
Vehicle Maintenance, Tinapa Making, Commando Training,
Basic Computer Training and Mortar Gunnery Refresher
Course.
Likewise to keep pace with its increasing
administrative requirements, the unit had taken the
initiative to modernize its own information system by
procuring four (4) sets of computers.
Such accomplishment have earned the unit the
following awards: Best Infantry Battalion for Calendar
Year 1993 in 8th Infantry Division,
Philippine Army, Best Battalion in 8ID in 1994 Best
Battalion in Intelligence in 8ID in 1994.
Then in June 1995, COL ANTONIO C SANTOS JR
was relived and
reassigned to Mindanao to assume a higher post
replacing him was his long time executive Officer MAJ
DOMINADOR V MACALINTAL SR (INF) PA.
LTC MACALINTAL SR continued as aggressively as
ever the programs
of the 8ID drawing big support from the populace in the
AOR whom he had befriended during his incumbency as EX-O
of the Battalion and from the support of the ever loyal
members of the “RELIABLE” Battalion.
Taking advantage of the generally peaceful
situation in the AOR, the unit had taken a strong
preoccupation in civil military operations (CMO) and
training it had spearheaded various activities in
Medical and Dental civic action program with the help of
the different LGUS and NGOS which benefited a total of
seven thousand three hundred twenty three (7,323)
patients who were treated free helped the DECS and NGUS
in their literacy Campaign with the
completion of 13 ALPS classes conducted in
various parts of the AOR which benefited some four
hundred thirty eight (438) illiterates; and assisted the
DENR, LGAS and LGUS in their Anti-Illegal logging
campaign with the confiscated of forty one thousand nine
hundred twenty nine (41,929) board feet of illegal cut
lumber. The unit had also complemented its drive against
illegal logging activities by planting tree in the AOR
with a total of sixteen thousand two hundred forty five
(16,245) seedlings.
In keeping pace with the demand of
professionalizing the
AFP, the unit had busied itself with the conduct of
intensive skills Trainings/Seminars, which benefited the
majority of its personnel including some of their
dependents.
In combat, the unit had participated in numerous
combat operations initiated by HHQS and also conducted
several of its own in its effort to neutralize the
remaining DTs in the AOR. These combat operations
resulted to the neutralization of 13 high-ranking DTs.
The capture/surrender of fourteen (14) high power
firearms and twenty three (23) low power firearms and
several of ammunition and other war materiels and
voluminous subversive documents of high intelligence
value.
On 09 January 1997, upon the direction of HHQS,
the unit transferred its Battalion Headquarters from
Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City to Barangay Erenas, San
Jorge, Samar.
Eight months after, the transfer, on 01 September
1997 LTC RUBEN O RAFAEL 0-7087 INF (GSC) PA took over
the reigns of the Battalion pursuant to section II,
General Order Number 423 H8ID, PA dated 26 August 1997
Vice LTC DOMINADOR V MACALINTAL SR (INF) PA.
The assumption of LTC RAFAEL as Commanding
Officer of the unit ushered a new dynamism into the
growing responsibility of the Battalion. Under his
Command, the unit underwent the 2nd Battalion
retraining conducted from 20 October to 19 June 1998 and
the CAA refresher training from 04 November to02
December 1998 to prepare itself for bigger challenges
ahead. After the retraining the unit immediately plunged
into action following the
concept of the AFP’s CAMPAIGN PLAN
“KAISAGANAAN” (LO 142-92), the unit concentrated on
CMO and combat operations supported by intelligence
operation by utilizing one (1) company as strike force
serving at the same time as Disaster Response Unit (DRU)
and two (2) rifle companies as territorial defense in
charge of CMO and intelligence. This strategy has
provided the unit flexibility in addressing as highly
mobile enemy by deploying troops anywhere in the AOR
wherever the need arises. But barely four (4) months
into action, on 01 November 1998, the unit company was
reassigned to 63rd Infantry Battalion, a
newly activated Battalion of the 8th Infantry
Division. Replacing the said company were sixty five
(65) personnel coming from the different unit of 8th
Infantry Division.
.Unfazed by this massive change in the
organization, the unit, nevertheless, aggressively
pursued its mission participating in nineteen (19) HHQS
directed operation and conducting twenty nine (29)
Battalion initiated operations and fifty one (51)
company operations, including eight (8) Civic Action
operations, four (4) ARMY Cares operations, five (5)
ALPS operations, two (2) MSOT, two (2) Accord operations
and tree planting activities which resulted to the
following: recovery of seven (7) high power firearms and
two (2) landmines, neutralization of three (3) regular
DTs and neutralization of one (1) hold-up gang with the
captured of its leader and confiscated of their firearms
and subsequently filing of criminal case against their
members, capture of three (3) more criminals and
subsequently filing of criminal cases against them in
court, confiscation of eight thousand four hundred
nineteen (8,419) board feet of illegally cut lumbers,
identification of the names of illegal loggers in the
AOR; five thousand seven hundred forty four (5,744)
beneficiaries of Civic Action; seven thousand seven
(7,007) beneficiaries of Army cares program; one hundred
seven one (171) civilian beneficiary
of ALPS operations and six thousand seven hundred
(6,700) seedling planted.
On Logistic, the unit was able to accomplish the
following: construction
of additional EP Barracks, construction of basketball
court, improvement of motor pool, construction of ammo
dump. Improvement of Bulwagan maintenance of its
vehicles to 100% serviceability status.
As a result of this accomplishments the Battalion
received the following awards. The 13th WSCAA
Commanding Officer as the best CAA company in the AFP
for 1998 and the best CAA company in VISCOM for 1998;
letter of commendation from LTGEN RAUL S URGELLO AFP, Commanding
General, Philippine Army dated 24 November 1995 as the
one of the Best Battalion in 8th Infantry
Division for 1998 several commendations from civil
authority in the AOR.
HHQS responded generously to the collective
effort of units personnel by promoting three hundred
twenty five (325) of the
four hundred ten (410) Enlisted Personnel of the
unit, in just two years, broken down as follows: four
(4) Msgt, eleven (11) TSg, thirty three (33) SSg,
seventy (70) Sgt, one eighteen (118) Cpl and eighty nine
Pfc.
Then on September 1999, LTC ESPERIDION O
REBADOMIA replaced LTC RAFAEL as Commanding Officer. He
continued aggressively programs and plans that the
Battalion is undertaking his leadership was also geared
towards befriending the community by which a series of
operations was conducted also jive with the conducted a
formal dialogue with
the populace in the far flung area emphasizing in
organizing and
mobilizing the people there at. During his time, the Battalion grandstand was constructed near the basketball
and tennis court.
After six months, LTC REBADOMIA was replaced by
then MAJOR SONNY L GADOT (INF) GSC PA on the 25 of April
2000. It was in this period
that a series of seminar and training was
conducted for officers and men of the Battalion. His
period was the time that re-conceptualization of the
LAMBAT BITAG was realized wherein the CAMPAIGN PLAN
“UPROOT THE WEEDS” was conceptualized. The plan was
focus on the deliberate and systematic conduct of
triad operation making san Jose de Buan
as the constriction area a series of MSOT.
ALPS and ACORD operation was then conducted at
the target influenced Barangay which brought about ISO
gain for the Battalion community oriented activities was
also enhance by constant dialogue with the
LGU and NGO in the AOR. It was in this period
that the
Battalion adopted three (3) hectares of land at Barangay
Mahayag, Catbalogan, Samar in coordination with the PBSP
for reforestation project. During the evaluation of the
national DECS office for Best Literacy Program for CY
1999-2000, the Battalion ALPS program was recognized and
awarded as one of the most outstanding Literacy Program
in national level. It was in this period that the area
coordination center was being initiated by the Battalion
to LGUS in the AOR. On the celebration of the Division
Anniversary last 30 July 2001, the Battalion was then
adjudge as the best performing Battalion in the field of
administration and operation Division-wide and got the
Division streamer award.
With the government all out Campaign against
secessionist movement in Mindanao during the period, the
HHQS needed the troops of 63rd Infantry
Battalion to be redeployed on the month of April 2000
the Battalion took Calbayog City from 63rd
Infantry Battalion AOR. It was this time that
realignment of line companies was carried out.
With the new concept of the HHQS of moving the
troops nearer to the enemy, the Battalion CP was then
established at Barangay
Blanca Aurora, San Jorge, Samar on the 24 August
2001 making the previous
camp at Erenas, San Jorge as resent camp.
On 08 January 2002, LTC SANNY GADOT INF (GSC) PA
was transferred to HPA and LTC ROMEO A VELASCO 0-112693
(FA) PA his Battalion EX-O assumed the position as
Officer-In-Charge, after 23 days LTC VELASCO transferred
to H8ID, PA and was replaced on 01 February 2002 by LTC
ROMEO L GAPUZ INF (GSC) PA, as Battalion Commander. COL
GAPUZ conducted sustained internal security operations
in the central portion of Western Samar to neutralize
the whole of central part of Samar – 1 (CFS-1),
central front Samar – 2 (CFS-2) and SECCOM DIEGO of
front committee 1 (F1) which resulted to the recovery of
fifteen (15) high power firearms and neutralization and
surrender of CTs – thirteen (13) enemy are killed one
of whom is Carlito Salingsing @ Terado secretary of
SECOM DAWA and CO of LINTI platoon
and captured of enemy encampment and subversive
documents with high intelligence value likewise, his
principles in civil military operations brought about by
well coordinate support to the local government units
trough the successful conduct of ten (10) Army Literacy
Patrol System (ALPS) classes with a total of 206
graduates resulting to the unit being adjudged as the
second placer “Most Outstanding” national literacy
awards in the year 2002, 2003 and 2004. and also the
conduct of twenty eight (28) special operation team
(SOT) to affected Barangay in CFS1 & F1 to ISO gains
Battalion.
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