5th Infantry Division
"Star"
The mission of the 5th Infantry Division is to conduct internal security operations in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Regions to destroy the communist terrorists and other threat groups in order to establish a physically and psychologically secured environment conducive to economic development. The Headquarters directs and employs 3 infantry brigades with its operationally controlled infantry battalions strategically positioned in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Ifugao, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.
The history of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army traces its humble beginnings when the 5th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was organized in 16 October 1972 as a major unit of the Philippine Army pursuant to General Orders Number 153, General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines with its station located in Camp Servillano S. Aquino in San Miguel, Tarlac. Brigadier General Miguel M. Villamor was appointed as the Commanding General and the unit's territorial jurisdiction covered Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and portion of Quezon, north of Umiray River. On 29 March 1976, Colonel Benjamin G. Santos took charge of the Brigade.
In 1968 the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) formed its military wing, the New People's Army. After the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, thousands of students came into their ranks. However, several leaders from the CPP were jailed in the middle of the 1970s, including Jose Maria Sison. The remaining leaders of the NPA continued guerilla warfare. In 1983 they were estimated to have 6,000 regulars, but by 1986 this had grown to 22,500 with 20% of villages under their control.
On 11 May 1981, the 5th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was elevated and became known as the 5th Infantry Division pursuant to General Orders Number 365, GHQ, AFP to address the growing threat of the local communist movement.
The 5th Infantry Division became distinguished as it spearheaded several campaigns against the local communist movement starting from the renowned Marag Valley in Cagayan, which was their sanctuary where the Headquarters of the Far North Luzon Regional Party Committee of the Northern Luzon Commission was discovered. It was also the training base of communist terrorists coming from other NPA units.
Marag Valley is a vast forest land extending from the foot of Mount Siamsanderie in Luna, Apayao to the Malababie Valley in Pamplona, Cagayan. From 1990-1993, massive operations were launched to restore peace and order situation in the area and continued operations were pursued in the areas of Paco-Zinundungan complex in the same province to Mabiga-Poguin complex in Isabela. The campaign called for the proper orchestration and synchronization of efforts of the Army with various sector organizations and the local government.
Support in urban areas for the CPP/NPA fell and by 1991, the insurgents had 18,000 members and falling. The Army with the full support of various sector organizations and the local government units pressed on with the momentum to put and end with the insurgency problem. The communist insurgents became suspicious of its members and began a massive internal purge of the movement that killed thousands of partisans and members on accusations of being deep penetration agents and informers of the AFP and the Philippine intelligence community. They also started to target US servicemen with their assassination teams called "Sparrow Units."
Solid gains served as the foundation of a very manageable security environment and an irreversible socio-economic up-trend in favor of the populace in Northern Luzon.
On 7 Nov 1994, the home of the 5th Infantry Division was transferred to Camp Upi in Gamu, Isabela, subsequently renamed Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz.
In an effort to contribute greatly in the prevailing peace and order situation in the country, the 5th Infantry Division sent combat units to Mindanao, particularly in Basilan and Jolo-Sulu area to bring an end to the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. After the 77th Infantry Battalion made a remarkable stint in the area from 1999-2001, it was replaced with the full-complement of the 53rd Division Reconnaissance Company between November 2006 to June 2007 significantly contributed in the hunt to destroy the notorious terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.
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