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63rd Infantry Battalion
"Innovator"

The 63rd Infantry Battalion was first organized on 1 April 1987 pursuant to General Orders Number 120, HPA dated 27 March 1987. It adopted the unit motto "Innovator," which signified creativeness, resourcefulness and a unit with new ideas. The Battalion unit training commenced on 8 May 1987 at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal when the nucleus of assigned Officers and key NCOs reported for duty. While the Battalion was undergoing training, it was tasked in the maintenance of camp security, conduct security patrols within the periphery of the camp, provided arrival honors and security to visiting VIPs.

The participation of the Battalion in the counter-insurgency and security operations began on 9 June 1987 when A Company was committed to augment Task Force Kalasag in a pursuit operation from the municipality of Dolores, Quezon to Luisiana, Laguna during the period 9-17 June 1987. After that operation, the same company was placed under the operational control of the 2/2nd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army and conducted sweeping operation from the municipality of Luisiana (via Kanluran, Kalaungan, Cavinti) to Lucban, all of Laguna.

The new developments in the 2/3rd Infantry Brigade's Area of Responsibility necessitated the deployment of additional government forces. The 63rd Infantry Battalion (minus C Company) was tasked to move from Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal to North-Eastern Laguna on 26 June 1987, where it established its Headquarters at Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna on 29 June 1987. From then on, the Battalion conducted offensive operations with only 2 rifle companies and 1 Armor platoon as attached unit.

During the attempted coup in August 1987, the Battalion (-) was deployed in Metro Manila to reinforce the government forces by securing the outer perimeter of Camp Aguinaldo against counter-attack by the rebel soldiers.

The Battalion became fully operational when C Company, after completing the Scout Ranger Orientation Course in Camp Capinpin, arrived at the Battalion AOR on 5 September 1987. The AOR then was initially composed of 7 Municipalities of Laguna: Matibak, Sta . Maria, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Quezon and Barangay Baguio of Infanta Quezon. On 27 October 1987, the Battalion Headquarterss was relocated from Bgy Magsaysay to Barangay Mayatba, both of Siniloan municipality.

On 10 May 1988, the Battalion AOR was expanded and included the municipality of Pagsanjan and Cavinti, both of Laguna province. The Battalion again transferred its Headquarters to Bgy Sulib, Pangil Laguna on 13 November 1988 and was placed under the operational control of the 202nd Infantry Brigade.

On 15 December 1990 the unit received orders to move its Battalion Headquarters to Bgy Banaan, Magdalena, Laguna to relieve-in-place the 16th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Subsequently, on 4 January 1991, the Battalion established its Command Headquarters at the said location.

On 1 June 1993, pursuant to General Order Number 275, Headquarters, Philippine Army dated 27 March 1993, the 63rd Infantry Battalion was inactivated. The unit was activated and placed in active status again effective 16 April 1998 pursuant to General Orders Number 463, Headquarters, Philippine Army dated 15 April 1998. The reinvigorated unit was reassigned to the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Initially, the unit was complemented by 102 Privates from 7th Infantry Division ID, 89 Privates from 8th Infantry Division and the personnel of the former 801st Infantry Brigade. After few weeks, a Division-wide realignment of troops was conducted and personnel from other Battalions under 8th Infantry Division joined the unit. On 16 June 1998, the Battalion conducted its pre-deployment training under the 8th Infantry Division, MTT, in Camp Sumoroy, Catarman, Northern Samar.

After 2 weeks of training, rebels raided a unit of the Philippine National Police in Bgy Urdaneta, Lavezares, Northern Samar. Immediately thereafter, the 63rd Infantry Battalion's pre-deployment training was declared completed and the unit was tasked to conduct pursuit operations against the rebels. After a month-long operation, the Battalion was finally given an AOR covering the 1st District of Northern Samar (except for Mondragon Municipality) and 2 Districts of Calbayog City with a mission to conduct ISO. The Battalion Headquarters was based in Bgy Urdaneta, Lavezares, Northern Samar while Headquarters of A, B and C Companies are located in Bgy San Juan, San Isidro, Bgy Acereda, Bobon and Bgy Cervantes, Catarman all of Northern Samar, respectively. The Battalion performed its mandated task while undertaking other non-traditional roles as necessary in its AOR. This resulted to the successful recovery of weapons during operations from the last quarter of CY 1998 up to the 3rd quarter of CY 1999.

The delineation of the unit boundaries were effected when Headquarters 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army implemented Operation "Silangang Liwayway / Alfa 99" wherein 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army extended its AOR and assumed ISO responsibility over the islands of Leyte and Biliran, while 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry, Philippine Army extended its AOR down to Hinabangan, Samar. On 12 June 1999, the 63rd Infantry Battalion conducted relief-in-place operations in the areas vacated by 34th Infantry Battalion and assumed operational responsibility in the whole City of Calbayog. In late 1999, the Battalion again proved its effectiveness during the successful conduct of raid on the enemy temporary encampment at vicinity Bgy Pasabuena, Victoria, Northern Samar on 22 November 1999 by the strike force of HHSC, during which weapons and documents were captured. On 16 March 2000 troops of A Company successfully raided another enemy temporary encampment at vicinity Bgy Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern Samar resulting in weapons captured and 5 rebels killed.

During the heights of the conflict in Mindanao between the MILF, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the AFP, the government sent more troops to Southern Philippines, including elements assigned to the 8th Infantry Division. On 12 May 2000, the 63rd Infantry Battalion received a Warning Order from Headquarters 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army to move to Southern Philippines within 48 hours. On 16 May 2000, the Battalion moved by land transportation towards the embarkation area at Tacloban City port. The Battalion together with the 802nd Infantry Brigade and 52nd Infantry Battalion of 8th Infantry Division boarded LST 501, departed Tacloban City on 18 May 2000 and arrived at Iligan City on 19 May 2000. The Battalion consolidated its troops at National Steel Corporation, Iligan City.

Initially, the Battalion was given an AOR from Bacolod Kalawe down to Bgy Tumarompong, Pualas, Lanao del Sur with the primary mission of securing the MSR. The advance party consisting of the Command Group of the Battalion moved towards Pualas, Lanao del Sur and established its temporary command post co-located with 58th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. The main force of the Battalion arrived at Pualas, Lanao del Sur and immediately dispatched A Company to Bgy Tumarompong, Pualas and established its temporary command post there. B Company established their temporary command post at Bacolod Kalawe and C Company at Madalum, all of Lanao del Sur.

With the 4th Infantry Division's delineation of boundaries, the Battalion was ordered to move its troops towards the southern portion of Lake Lanao covering the municipalities of Binidayan, Bayang and Lumbatan to secure the MSR as its primary mission. With such order, the Battalion Headquarters with HHSC established a temporary command post at Pob Binidayan, while A Company established its at vicinity crossing of Lumbatan, B Company at Bgy Palao, Bayang and C Company at Bgy Timbangan, Binidayan, all of Lanao del Sur.

On 9 June 2000, the whole Battalion was tasked to consolidate at Poblacion Binidayan in preparation for the Brigade-wide combat operations. The Battalion was tasked as the Main Effort with a mission to conduct combat clearing operation over the municipality of Marogong. With this development, the vacated Battalion AOR was taken-over by the elements of Task Force Diamond II, 4th Infantry Division. The Brigade-wide operations commenced in June 2000 and the Battalion moved towards Marogong complex to clear given objectives where MILF satellite camps were situated. Fortunately the Battalion was able to clear the area with no untoward incident. After capturing all the objectives, the Battalion was ordered by the 802nd Infantry Brigade to proceed towards Poblacion Marogong to link-up with 52nd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division and the 802nd Infantry Brigade. The Battalion arrived at the designated area on 11 June 2000 and established a temporary command post. On 12 June 2000, the Battalion was ordered to seize Camp Akir-akir, one of the satellite camps of the MILF based in Bgy Gandamatu, Marogong, Lanao del Sur. The Battalion tasked the A and B Companies to seize and destroy the camp and as a result several war materiels were recovered.

On 16 June 2000, the Battalion was ordered by the 802nd Infantry Brigade to move to Bgy Bagumbayan, Marogong, Lanao del Sur (another MILF satellite camp) to conduct clearing operation and the Battalion cleared Bgy Bagumbayan with no untoward incident and was able to recover numerous war materiel, communication equipments and accessories. After 4 days of operation at said barangay, the Battalion returned to Poblacion Marogong.

On 21 June 2000, the Battalion together with the 802nd Infantry Brigade left Marogong and moved towards Pualas, Lanao del Sur. With the instruction emanating from 4th Infantry Division, the 802nd Brigade and the Battalion were ordered to re-occupy the southern part of Lake Lanao, the stretch from Masiu up to Binidayan. Finally, the Battalion established its temporary command post inside the Lanao Agricultural College campus in Lumbatan while A Company established its temporary command post at Poblacion Binidayan, B Company established its on the high ground overlooking the bridge connecting Lumbayanague-Lumbatan road and C Company at Bgy Balaigay, Masiu, all of Lanao del Sur.

During its time in Lanao del Sur, the 63rd Infantry Battalion succeeded in the neutralization of 6 MILF rebels, 141 MILF rebels captured, and the recovery of large numbers of weapons and ammunition. On 16 December 2000, the Battalion was pulled out from Lanao del Sur and moved to Caraga Region to relief-in-place 52nd Infantry Battalion with area of responsibility covering the 15 municipalities of Surigao del Sur; (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, Tandag, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga and Barobo) and parts of Agusan del Sur; (San Francisco, Prosperidad, Bayugan and Sibagat).

After serving for almost a year in Mindanao particularly in Lanao del Sur and Surigao del Sur, the Battalion was pulled out effective 8 March 2001 and returned to Samar Island as part of a move to bring the 8th Infantry Division back up to strength. The 63rd Infantry Battalion, aboard LST 551, moved first and arrived Catbalogan wharf on 9 March 2001.

The Battalion returned to a previous AOR, which covered the 1st Congressional District of Northern Samar (except the municipality of Mondragon) and the whole City of Calbayog. After the relief-in-place with the 28th Infantry Battalion in Surigao del Sur, the second half of the Battalion aboard a C-130 arrived Calbayog Airport on 19 March 2001. The Battalion Headquarters was established in Bgy Salvacion, San Isidro, Northern Samar and emplaced the line companies to its previous AOR with A Company at Bgy Tinaplacan, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, B Company at Bgy Acereda, Bobon and C Company at Bgy Cervantes, Catarman, both of Northern Samar.

In July 2001 the unit conduct operations in its AOR resulting in the capture of weapons and neutralization of rebels. The unit's achievements continued when the combined operating troops of HHSC, A Company and one team from the 82nd Reconnaissance Company, 8th Infantry Division successfully discovered and destroyed the Northern Front Committee I main camp code named "Mercury." The unit also conducted civil affairs missions, as well as continuing to conduct combat operations.

In July 2002, C Company conducting offensive operations at Catubig-Mapanas-Gamay complex intercepted a group of 5 rebels at vicinity Mt Boboyaon, Mapanas, Northern Samar headed by members of Loreto Ronato Command operating in the 2nd District of Northern Samar. Weapons and documents were confiscated. In August 2002, a team composed of 2 enlisted personnel from the HHSC and 9 CAFGUs from the Las Navas Detachment encountered a similar number of rebels, resulting in the wounding of 2 and the capture of weapons and documents. 3 subsequent encounters occurred in September 2002, resulted in more successful engagements with captures of weapons and equipment. The first on 18 September 2002 at vic Bgy Buenasuerte, Victoria, North Samar by the troops of B Company. The second encounter occured on 20 September 2002 at vic Bgy San Roque, Matuguinao, West Samar by the SULTT Students while on their test mission. The third was the encounter at vic Bgy New Balud, Silvino Lobos, North Samar on 24 September 2002 by the combined troops from Silvino Lobos Detachment and the SULTT Students. On 26 November 2002, combined troops from HHSC and some elisted personnel and CAAs of Genulgan Detachment conducted strike operations at vic Sitio Gadgaran, Bgy Canhumadal, Pambujan, North Samar and encountered 20 rebels, resulting the neutralization of one and the capture of weapons and documents.

In December 2002 an ambush by an estimated 50 rebels on a motorized patrol resulted in 2 personnel from the unit being killed and the loss of valuable wepaons and equipment. Days later, an improvised landmine was discovered and was safely retrieved by the 8th EOD Team, 8th Infantry Division. On 18 January 2003, one section composed of personnel from HHSC and CAFGUs conducting strike operation at vic Bgy Sta Fe, Catubig, North Samar encountered a large number of rebels and discovered camps, which led to the recovery of weapons and equipment.

With the implementation of the 8th Infantry Division's OPLAN "Trinity," the focus of the fight on counter-insurgency was declared to be a battle of intellect and of population support, the unit enhanced its intelligence, combat and civil-military operations to adjust the prevailing situations.

From 25 January 2003 to 20 May 2004, the unit conducted Triad concept of operations, resulting to 8 encounters and one raid that led to the neutralization and capture of rebels, and the recovery of weapons and equipment. Additionally, 22 rebel members/supporters/sympathizers from the different Bgys of Las Navas, Laoang, and Pambujan, all of Northern Samar surrendered to this unit through RSOT operations, massive info drives, symposiums and film showings.

The launching of incessant combat operations played an important role in the gradual turnaround of insurgency. From 21 May 2004 to 6 May 2005, the unit's offensive actions against the enemy resulted to 4 encounters that led to the recovery of weapons and documents. Noteworthy during this period was the raid conducted by troops of A Company, 63rd Infantry Battalion under the operation control of the 34th Infantry Battalion augmented by 4 personnel from HHSC at a safehouse of suspected members of SPARU Unit operating in Calbayog City in April 2005 that resulted in the capture of weapons and equipment.