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57th Infantry Battalion
"Masikap"

The mission of the 57th Infantry Battalion, "Masikap," is to conduct internal security operations against anti-government groups and work the develop the areas to which it is deployed. It is also taske with assisting the government and private agencies in socio-economic development in its area of responsibility, either independently or as part of a larger force in order to attain a condition of stability conducive to development and the advancement of the peace process. The units specific fundtion is to support its 3 rifle companies during the conduct of operations in the tactical areas of the 6th Infantry Division.

The 57th Infantry Battalion, "Masikap," was first organization in San Miguel, Leyte on 7 October 1985. Its first deployment was to Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay, Negros Oriental in July 1986. From Negros Oriental, the unit was briefly deployed to Cebu. While there Camp Lapu-Lapu was its base of operations. Within a few months, however, the unit had returned to its home base in Mabinay, Negros Oriental. On 4 March 1987 the unit was redeployed to So Mambato, To-Oy, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.

In June 1988, the unit was directed to move and establish a base in the town of Bilar, Bohol. After almost a year in that province, the unit was again redeployed back to Negros Island and established its headquarters in Poblacion Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

On 20 April 1995 a decision was made to send 2 Brigades from the 3rd infantry division to Mindanao to combat the threat posed by secessionist groups there. The 57th Infantry Division was deployed there as a unit under the operational control of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and was based at Brgy Romarate, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur. The unit was then redeployed to Camp Allere, Salvador, Lanao del Norte, and then to Brgy Cadulawan, Munai, as operations continued.

On 26 November 1996, the unit left the province of Lanao Norte for Basilan province. The Battalion arrived at Isabela on 28 November 1996 and established its headquarters in Maluso, Basilan.

On 15 June 1997, the unit started travel to Poblacion Datu Piang, Maguindanao with the rest of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, where it established its headquarters on 17 June 1997. On 1 November 1998, as a result of a realignment of government forces in Mindanao, the unit was placed under the operational control of 6th Infantry Division in central Mindanao. The realignment of troops in the 6th Infantry Division area of responsibility brought led the unit to establish its battalion headquarters in Brgy Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The unit was subsequently redeployed for election duties in Zamboanga City. It was then directed to assume a new operational jurisdiction in 4 municipalities: Datu Odin Sinsuat, North Upi and Kabuntalan all in Maguindanao province.